Royal Commission for Riyadh City Launches Stage 4 of Bus Service

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the launch of Stage 4 of the “riyadh bus” service. SPA
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the launch of Stage 4 of the “riyadh bus” service. SPA
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Royal Commission for Riyadh City Launches Stage 4 of Bus Service

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the launch of Stage 4 of the “riyadh bus” service. SPA
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the launch of Stage 4 of the “riyadh bus” service. SPA

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the launch of Stage 4 of the “riyadh bus” service, part of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport (KAPT) network, which aims to provide world-class public transportation options to the residents and visitors of Riyadh and connect the capital’s neighborhoods and commercial clusters.

The service has operated approximately 631,000 trips transporting over 6 million passengers since its launch earlier this year.

Stage 4 of “riyadh bus” will expand the service to reach 40 routes covered by 614 buses that serve 1,632 bus stations and stops, covering 70% of the 1,900 kilometers length of the network.

Connecting new localities and neighborhoods in the city of Riyadh, seven new routes have been added in stage 4.

The "riyadh bus" service is supported by an online portal -- www.riyadhbus.sa -- offering a variety of options for passengers to learn more about the service, the bus routes, and ticket options.

Passengers can also access services, including trip planning, through the "choose your destination" feature, track the trip through the interactive map, and buy tickets through the “riyadh bus” app that can be downloaded from Apple and Google stores.



Survivor of Rare Rapid-ageing Disease Progeria Dies at 28

Progeria, also known as Hutchinson–Gilford syndrome (HGPS), causes people to age rapidly, leading them to appear older than they are - (Photo by AFP)
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson–Gilford syndrome (HGPS), causes people to age rapidly, leading them to appear older than they are - (Photo by AFP)
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Survivor of Rare Rapid-ageing Disease Progeria Dies at 28

Progeria, also known as Hutchinson–Gilford syndrome (HGPS), causes people to age rapidly, leading them to appear older than they are - (Photo by AFP)
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson–Gilford syndrome (HGPS), causes people to age rapidly, leading them to appear older than they are - (Photo by AFP)

Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.

Progeria, also known as Hutchinson–Gilford syndrome (HGPS), causes people to age rapidly, leading them to appear older than they are, with a reduced quality of life and a life expectancy of only 13.5 years without treatment, the association's website said.

It affects one in every eight million people born, and has a worldwide incidence of one in every 20 million, Reuters reported.

Born in 1995 in Schio, in the northern Italian region of Veneto, Basso was diagnosed with progeria at the age of two. In 2005, he and his parents founded the Italian Progeria Association.

He became famous through the National Geographic documentary "Sammy's Journey," which recounts his journey along Route 66 in the United States, from Chicago to Los Angeles, with his parents and one of his best friends, Riccardo.

"Today our light, our guide, has gone out. Thank you Sammy for making us part of this wonderful life," the association wrote on its Instagram page.

There are only 130 recognised cases of classic progeria worldwide, of which four are in Italy.

However, the Italian Progeria Association estimated there could be as many as 350 cases as they can be difficult to trace especially in developing countries.