PTA Signs Saudi Arabia’s Largest Intercity Bus Transport Project Contract

The network is expected to serve more than 6 million passengers annually. SPA
The network is expected to serve more than 6 million passengers annually. SPA
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PTA Signs Saudi Arabia’s Largest Intercity Bus Transport Project Contract

The network is expected to serve more than 6 million passengers annually. SPA
The network is expected to serve more than 6 million passengers annually. SPA

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) has announced the largest project for transporting passengers by buses connecting the Saudi cities, through a transportation network that covers more than 200 cities and governorates.

The network is expected to serve more than 6 million passengers annually, through 76 routes, and with a new fleet of buses equipped with the latest technologies that allow the use of environmentally friendly vehicles.

This announcement came during a ceremony held by the Authority in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Transport Authority, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and representatives from the public and private sectors.

Three contracts were signed for intercity transportation projects with the participation of major global alliances aimed at finding and providing advanced quality services for passenger transport by buses between the Kingdom’s cities.

Al-Jasser said that this project is the first foreign investment in intercity transportation services, which opens the way for future investments in this sector.

He praised the role of PTA in transforming challenges into successful investment opportunities that will add the equivalent of SR3.2 billion annually to the gross domestic product.

He stressed that the project will serve several other sectors, including supporting tourism development and contribute to enhancing economic diversification and consolidating partnerships with the private sector.

The National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services aims to increase the share of using public transportation in the Kingdom from 1% to 15% by 2030.

The project will also contribute to translating one of the most important objectives of the strategy, which establishes the quality of life in cities among its priorities, by reducing the percentage of carbon emissions for transportation to reach 25% by 2030.



Orange-Clad Crowds Cram into to Dutch Cities to Celebrate King Willem-Alexander’s Birthday

People celebrate King's Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)
People celebrate King's Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)
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Orange-Clad Crowds Cram into to Dutch Cities to Celebrate King Willem-Alexander’s Birthday

People celebrate King's Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)
People celebrate King's Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)

Across the Netherlands, people donned orange clothes — from tuxedos to feather boas — and boats packed with revelers clogged Amsterdam's canals to celebrate their king's birthday Saturday.

In an Amsterdam park, a dog called Lucy sported orange-dyed fur.

“I love it. It’s a day where every year everyone just comes together, just celebrates and it doesn’t matter where you’re from everyone is just accepted," said 22-year-old Dicky van Warmerdam. "And if you look around, it’s just a giant party and who doesn’t want that?”

The official royal walkabout by King Willem-Alexander and family members in the eastern town of Doetinchem started an hour later than planned so as not to clash with the funeral at the Vatican of Pope Francis.

In a video message, Willem-Alexander said the day of Dutch celebration “has two faces” due to the pope's funeral, and paid tribute to Francis.

“For many Catholics and non-Catholics, he was a source of inspiration,” the king said.

The king's 58th birthday is on Sunday, but King's Day was held a day earlier.

The celebrations began Friday night with street markets in the central city of Utrecht and parties in other towns and cities.

By Saturday afternoon, some canals in the Dutch capital were crammed with boats, the water sometimes barely visible through the throngs of people and clouds of orange smoke from flares.

In a message on social media, Amsterdam Municipality said parts of the city were “too full” and urged people not to visit Amsterdam and “celebrate King's Day somewhere else.” Other cities also reported that events were overcrowded.

In Amsterdam's Vondel Park, children spread out blankets and sold unwanted toys, clothes and books in one of the many “free markets” that spring up on sidewalks and parks.

And it wasn't just the Dutch who were celebrating in Amsterdam.

“It is a great moment for togetherness, to be with friends, you know, ... to make new connections," said 23-year-old Lorenzo Soldi from Italy.