TGA Public Transport Project in Tabuk Entails 25% Electric Buses

TGA Public Transport Project in Tabuk Entails 25% Electric Buses
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TGA Public Transport Project in Tabuk Entails 25% Electric Buses

TGA Public Transport Project in Tabuk Entails 25% Electric Buses

The Transport General Authority (TGA) has introduced the Kingdom's first public transport project, featuring clean energy-powered buses in Tabuk city.
The project entails introducing 25% eco-friendly electric buses.
The event was inaugurated by Governor of Tabuk Region Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz; attending was Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, SPA reported.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, TGA General Manager Dr. Rayan AlHazmi said that the public bus transportation project in Tabuk aims to enhance infrastructure and improve the region residents' quality of life, SPA reported.

The environment-friendly electric buses run on clean energy, in a first in the Kingdom. With four lanes, 30 buses and 106 designated bus stops, the project provides efficient public transportation services for Tabuk's residents and visitors; they operate 18 hours a day.
Breaking down the project, AlHazmi said that a lane covers 34.5 km and has 30 stops; it passes through key locations like the University of Tabuk, Saudi Post and Saudia Airlines. Another lane is 43.8 km long and includes 27 stops; it passes through the military city, airport and King Khalid Military City's Northern Area Armed Forces Hospital. A third lane extends over 21.7 km, has 27 stops, and passes through locations such as the Emirate of Tabuk region, Eid prayer hall, King Khalid Hospital and the central park. The fourth lane, stretching over 28.1 km and having 22 stops, services locations such as Park Mall, Al-Muruj District Park, and the University of Tabuk's Eastern Gate.
AlHazmi emphasized that through this project, the authority aims to improve safety and the quality of life, make transportation more convenient and reduce traffic congestion in Tabuk. It also focuses on creating job opportunities, lowering carbon emission and combating environmental pollution, in line with the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services.



Coffee Lovers Find Grounds for Complaint at Australian Open

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2025 General view of people buying coffee outside the courts. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2025 General view of people buying coffee outside the courts. (Reuters)
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Coffee Lovers Find Grounds for Complaint at Australian Open

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2025 General view of people buying coffee outside the courts. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2025 General view of people buying coffee outside the courts. (Reuters)

Melbourne prides itself on serving up the world's best coffee, but finding a hot brew at the Australian Open has proved a challenge for some of the tens of thousands of fans attending this year's Grand Slam tennis tournament.

Organizers have worked hard over the last decade to improve options for refreshment and an array of outlets at the Melbourne Park precinct.

Yet long queues face fans looking to indulge their passion for the city's favorite beverage at the 15 coffee stores Tennis Australia says dot the 40-hectare (99-acre) site.

"We need more coffee places open," said Katherine Wright, who has been coming to the tournament for the five years as she lined up for a hot drink near the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

"We are big coffee drinkers, especially Melburnians."

The Australian Open attracts more than 90,000 fans a day early on in the tournament, when ground passes are relatively cheap, offering the chance to watch main draw action on the outer courts.

Liz, another Melburnian, said she stood in line for half an hour for a cup of coffee on Sunday, when rain halted play for six hours on the outer courts.

"This is a well-established global event," she added. "You actually need to be providing better service to the consumer."

Melbourne imports about 30 tons of coffee beans a day, the Australian Science Education Research Association says, representing a surge of nearly eightfold over the past decade that is sufficient to brew 3 million cups of coffee.

For Malgorzata Halaba, a fan who came from Poland on Sunday for her second Australian Open, finding one of those 3 million cups was a must.

"It seems it took me a day and a half, and several kilometers of walking around the grounds, to find coffee," she said. "And jet-lagged as I am, coffee is a lifesaver."