At the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress 2025 (organised by Fira de Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility from 4 to 6 November), Moventis revealed two new milestones underpinning its international expansion into strategic markets where the company already has a strong foothold: Saudi Arabia and France.
To be more precise, the company announced that it has been awarded a contract to manage 800 taxis in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) and the launch of operations by the public transport network in Châlons-en-Champagne (France). These two milestones underpin the international growth by Moventis in two strategic markets where it already has a strong foothold and a management model focused on efficiency, sustainability and public-private partnership.
New taxi contract in Mecca
The Royal Commission of Makkah (RCMC) has awarded a contract to Moventis (as part of a consortium with its local partner) to manage 800 taxis in the city of Mecca, thereby strengthening the company’s position as main international collective mobility operator in Saudi Arabia.
With a term of five years, the contract covers supply of the vehicles, the technology, the drivers, the depot, the support staff, and the entire operation and maintenance of the service.
Operations are expected to begin in late 2025 with a workforce of more than 1,600 employees and the 800 taxis fully operational by the end of the year.
This is the third major contract for Moventis in Saudi Arabia, following the urban service in Mecca and the national intercity NorthWestBus (NWB) service, and consolidates its role as a benchmark operator in the country. The company currently operates 400 buses in the holy city and manages the intercity lines that connect Makkah to its surrounding area.
Moventis has become a backbone for mobility in Mecca, combining various transport services and models under its management to guarantee connections and accessibility in one of the main mobility centres for the country.
“This new contract underpins the confidence placed in Moventis by the Saudi authorities as a benchmark collective mobility operator”, said Jordi Castells, Managing Director at Moventis and Country Manager for Saudi Arabia. “Our role will be to provide knowledge, management and experience in the control of complex transport systems, guaranteeing a safe, efficient and premium service for the citizens of and visitors to Mecca”, he added.
The consortium between Moventis and its local partner copies the partnership model that the two companies have already successfully implemented on the NorthWestBus (NWB) intercity project, on which Moventis leads operational and technological management of the service. The contract also represents significant progress on the development of taxi-based mobility business by Moventis, which already manages the inclusive Taxi Amic service in Barcelona (Spain) and is now extending this experience into its international operations.
Management of the public transport network in Châlons-en-Champagne
Meanwhile, in Europe, Moventis has been selected by the Châlons-en-Champagne Agglomeration Community (Grand Est Region, France) for the management and operation of its SITAC network (inter-municipal transport service for the metropolitan area) offering urban transport, school buses, on-demand services and bicycles for the period 2026–2031 within the framework of a Public Service Delegation (DSP).
The contract covers the operation of some 50 vehicles, management of over 100 bicycles and the hiring of 60 employees from the previous operator, guaranteeing continuity for the service and local employment. Moventis has undertaken comprehensive management of the service, bringing its experience in operations, maintenance, technology and personnel management, while the local authority provides the fleet and the main facilities.
“This contract enables us to consolidate our presence in France and contribute to the development of more sustainable, modern and connected mobility”, said Júlia Farré, Head of Business Development at Moventis. “Our goal is to accompany local authorities in the energy transition for public transport by offering our technical knowledge and guaranteeing an efficient public-focused service”, she added.
The project will involve the steady incorporation of electric buses so that a quarter of the fleet will be made up of zero-emission vehicles by 2031. The multimodal offer in the city will also be strengthened, while the information offered to users will be improved.
This is the third Public Service Delegation (DSP) for Moventis in France, following those in Montbéliard (2017) and Grasse (2023), consolidating its position as a reliable benchmark operator in the country.
A growing international network
The new contracts in Saudi Arabia and France underpin the sustained growth and internationalisation strategy adopted by Moventis based on public-private partnership, operational efficiency and knowledge transfer.
At present, the company operates in Spain, France, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Ireland and Peru, where it is engaged in urban, intercity and discretionary transport projects.