A Nation in Motion

Bahrain Approves Electric Buses, New Berth and Highway Tender in Busy Development Session

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is accelerating its push to modernise public transport after a high-level government committee approved a pilot programme to introduce electric buses onto the Kingdom's roads—part of a broader infrastructure agenda that stretches from new interchanges to a dedicated marine cargo berth.

The Ministerial Committee on Development Projects and Infrastructure, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa at its 312th meeting, renewed the operating concession of the Bahrain Public Transport Company until 2030, while simultaneously approving the phased introduction of electric buses—two vehicles initially this year, scaling to 35 by the decade's end.

In a separate directive, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications was tasked with establishing a new marine berth designed to receive construction material shipments, a move expected to ease pressure on existing port facilities as major development projects continue to ramp up across the island.

On the roads, the committee instructed the Ministry of Works to open the northern Isa Town Interchange Bridge to traffic within days. The 840-metre dual bridge is now structurally complete, though wider project works remain ongoing on schedule.

A public tender has been launched for the King Faisal Highway Development Project—a 4.1-kilometre corridor stretching from Al Farooq Junction to Al Fateh Junction. The scheme involves road widening and constructing multi-level interchanges aimed at relieving chronic congestion along one of the capital's key arterial routes.

Approved Proposals 

• Electric bus pilot approved (2 buses in 2025, 35 by 2030); public transport concession renewed to 2030
• New marine berth to be established for construction material shipments
• Traditional fish traps (hadhrah) to be regulated and offered via public auction
• Engineering Guide for Landscaping and Tree Planting adopted; the Ministry of Municipalities will implement it.

Development Committee Outcomes

• Property registrations up 12% in first half of 2026

• Mortgage transactions rose 14% year-on-year

• 91% of land registry transactions are now electronic

• Digital title deeds processed in 5 working days

• New Engineering Guide adopted for landscaping across all public spaces

• Three government agencies united to launch new digital services platform