UITP welcomes Khalid Alhogail as new president

Khalid Alhogail, CEO and managing director of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), was voted in as the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) new president for the 2021-2023 term. 

As CEO and managing director of SAPTCO for the past 15 years, Alhogail is a well-known and respected industry figure, overseeing one of the largest public transport companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Every two years, the candidates who have put themselves forward to become part of the secretariat leadership face a vote during the General Assembly.  

During his tenure, Alhogail will advocate for public transport through a wide range of activities and opportunities, working alongside international membership. With an extensive background in the sector, Alhogail is also the chairman of the Saudi Emirates Integrated Transport Company (SEITCO) joint venture between SAPTCO and Emirates Transport.  

Alhogail is also chairman of the SAPTCO-RATP Dev joint venture Public Transport Company (PTC) and a board member of the RATP Dev-SAPTCO joint venture Capital Metro Company (CAMCO). Previously chairman of the Saudi National Union for Joint Stock Companies, representing 186 CEOS of listed companies for 10 years, he has been closely involved with several major transportation projects in the Middle East and North Africa and has developed many successful international projects to benefit the region.  

“It is my great honor to be elected as the new UITP President. I am proud of the longstanding involvement I have with the association, and I look forward to engaging with the international membership to advance the association’s vision in the years to come,” said Alhogail. “Public transport needs strong support as we look towards a post-pandemic world, and I hope to work alongside many of you in the times ahead.”  

Mr. Alhogail is also no stranger to UITP and the international membership. For the past five years, he has been an active and recognizable member of UITP’s Executive Board and Policy Board, and before being sworn into his new role, held the role of a UITP vice president.  

Alongside leading SAPTCO, Alhogail has been chairman of the UITP MENA Executive Committee, further strengthening his presence in our global activities. The role of UITP President is an important position within the structure of the association, now 135-years old, established in 1885.  

The new president will work closely with the UITP Secretariat, led by Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani, to achieve UITP’s vision for the coming years.  

"The UITP Secretariat and I are excited to have Mr. Alhogail join us in this new role, as UITP president. Having worked with him in our executive and policy boards, I have no doubt that he will put a spotlight on our mission and work closely with our global members to further advance public transport,” said Mohamed Mezghani, UITP secretary general. “I look forward to exploring our professional relationship in the years to come. UITP congratulates and thanks Mr. Alhogail for joining our team.”