King Fahd Causeway sees record 33m passengers in 2024

Cairo: More than 33 million passengers last year used the King Fahd Causeway, a vital link between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the highest number recorded in one year since the opening of the facility in 1986.

In addition, the average crossing time of the bridge was cut during peaks to about 21 minutes.

Commenting on the milestone, Governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Saud bin Nayef, hailed the efforts made by Saudi and Bahraini government and private sectors operating on the causeway to facilitate passengers and goods traffic.

As part of digital services introduced to improve the traveller’s experience, the General Organisation of King Fahd Causeway has launched the E-JESR app, which has boosted the use of the pre-payment- of- fee system to 55% and reduced the time for crossing the toll gates from 15 seconds to 3.

In 2020, an e-payment system went operational on the bridge for car passengers, trucks and motorcycles replacing cash payment.

Gates installed on the causeway allow users to automatically conduct transit procedures without dealing with the staff.

Since its inauguration, the King Fahd Causeway has been vital for movement between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, two members of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

The 25km-long bridge usually sees heavy traffic during summer holiday and the Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha feasts.

The facility is also of economic importance for both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, particularly for their tourism and logistics sectors.