Transportation

Shabaka Transportation

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Shabaka provides bus transportation to/from the university each day. Teachers are allowed to arrange their own private transportation (at their own expense) as long as they arrive to work on time. Teachers are expected to be in the classroom five minutes prior to the start of class, and in the office on time for their office hours (7:00am for the first shift and 9:00am for the second shift).

Shabaka provides a grocery store/mall transportation schedule two times per week. This schedule is designed to accommodate the team at large. If it does not fit your personal schedule, please make your own outside arrangements. Shabaka does not provide transportation for personal trips such as doctor visits, pharmacy, Arabic lessons, etc. Taxis are inexpensive for short trips around town.

Shabaka usually provides transportation to/from the airport on breaks. However, if your flight arrives back into Bahrain or Saudi Arabia after 10:00pm you are on your own.

Shabaka transportation will pick you up at the airport upon first arrival in September if you already have the visa. If you have to stay in Bahrain to obtain the Business visa, the hotel transport will pick you up at the airport. We are 2.5 hours from Bahrain, so it doesn’t make sense to send a driver from Saudi to take you to the hotel in Bahrain.

Please note that Shabaka transportation is public (for all staff). If it does not meet your individual needs/schedule, then it is your responsibility to arrange your own outside transportation.

Bus or van privileges may be suspended for rude, insensitive behavior or offensive comments.

Punctuality

The bus leaves on time, to the minute. If the shopping run is scheduled for 6.30pm, that means you should be on the bus at 6.25pm. If you miss the bus, it won’t turn around and pick you up. We use the digital clock in the bus for departure times.

Behavior on the bus

You are at work when you step on the bus. Standard protocol for work  issues apply while on the bus.

Uber and Careem

There are several daily departures to Dammam and Riyadh on Saudi Arabia Railways trains. 

Local Taxi Numbers

Need to run a personal errand? Call one of the following Taxi numbers. To get picked up from the compound just say “Compound Saadoun.” (Sah-doon)These taxi drivers can also help you with trips to Bahrain. The going rate for Bahrain trips is about 500 Riyals.

(If they don’t know tell them “dawaar[traffic cirle] Othaim, Mubarraz”. This will at least get you close to the mall. Then you can direct them.)

Mr. Nassar – 0502311565

The best taxi driver in Hofuf. Good English skills, good knowledge of the area and very helpful. He will NEVER try to rip you off. Large car that can easily seat 6 teachers. If he is busy he can sometimes arrange a pick up for you with another driver.

Mr. Abdullah – 0553882189

Good English. A good taxi driver for smokers!

Mr. Ahmad – 0552553169

Good guy, reliable, but his English isn’t great.

Mr. Amar – 0558921113

Nice car, good English, but sleeps in late in the morning.

Mr. Amir – 0509069888

Good English, safe driver. Good on Fridays, when most other taxi drivers take the day off.

New Taxi Regulations

At the end of August, the Saudi government approved new regulations regarding taxis. The main effects they will have on us are:

• You can no longer flag a taxi on the street

• Taxis can no longer sit at the malls, train stations, etc. waiting for fares

• All taxis must be ordered through the cab company

The linked article does not say when this will take effect, only that there will be severe monetary repercussions for the drivers.

Other Taxis

A short walk over the road and you will find Al-Othaim Mall. This is always a useful place for securing a taxi. They have a taxi section right in front of the main entrances.

A rough price guide would be 1 Riyal a minute, (a 15 minute journey should cost about 15 Riyals).

However taxi drivers won’t drive you anywhere for less than 10 Riyals, so don’t be surprised if a five minute journey costs 10 Riyals.

FYI

Saudis will often stop when they see you walking near a road. They will often be prepared to take you somewhere for a small fee. We don’t recommend getting lifts with anyone who isn’t in a registered Taxi. We also advise against getting lifts with students, it has happened that they want their grades to be changed in return for the favor.

See Personal Transportation for further information on alternative means of getting around town.

Personal Transportation

Car rental

Some teachers like to rent a car. Please see our map for car rental locations.

If you have an Iquama you must have a Saudi drivers license to rent a car (please see our Saudi Drivers License section below).

Prices can vary from 1500 – 2000 SAR a month.

Bike Shops

The truly brave can buy a motorbike.

FYI

The 2011-2012 school year saw several teachers involved in motorcycle accidents and incidents. There have reportedly been motorbikes stolen from locations around town; we recommend locking your bike up securely. Teachers riding a bike without a license have had their bike impounded by the local police.

Saudi Driving Licences

If you currently hold a valid drivers license from your country of origin, it is possible to get a Saudi license without taking a driving test. Below are the recommended steps for attaining it. If they are followed correctly in order, getting your license shouldn’t take more than 2 trips to the Al-Ahsa Driving School; one to collect the forms, verify your identity and get the official traffic police stamp, and the second to arrange the license:

1. Translate own country licence.

2. Get passport photos done.

3. Make sure you have your Iqama and a photocopy of your passport.

4. Go to Al-Ahsa driving school near the railway station, bring a glue-stick to attach the photo to your application form. Do not expect them to offer you stationary supplies.

5. Go to the cashier and buy a green folder (10 SAR), get a metal clip, too.

6. Enter the next room with your application: “Police Traffic Section.” The form is in Arabic, they may need to help fill it in for you – or bring an Arabic speaker with you. Try not to leave without an ink stamp from this Police Traffic Section office. You need that before most hospitals will allow the medical tests.

7. You must go to the medical clinic to do blood type test and eye test. Might be 50 SAR or check to see if the health insurance will cover it.

8. Pay for the license at your bank.

9. Return to Al-Ahsa Driving School and apply. With any luck it will be available immediately.

Transportation for this procedure will not be provided by Shabaka Training. Please make your own way.

Want a hand?

To contact people experienced with the procedures of acquiring a license: please send us a message and someone will contact you shortly.