Saudi Arabia has undertaken a key study which looks at alternative public transport to relieve traffic congestion in major cities, a senior government official said.

Metro trains and luxury coaches were being considered, said Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb, according to a report in Arab News.

“Improving the public transport system in the cities is a pressing need because of the adverse environmental impact due to pollution arising from traffic congestion,” the minister was quoted as saying in the report.