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.



Penguin Memes Take Flight after Trump Tariffs Remote Island

A waddle of King penguins, some of the only inhabitants of the Australian territory of Heard Island -- which is among those targeted by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Matt CURNOCK / AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION/AFP
A waddle of King penguins, some of the only inhabitants of the Australian territory of Heard Island -- which is among those targeted by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Matt CURNOCK / AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION/AFP
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Penguin Memes Take Flight after Trump Tariffs Remote Island

A waddle of King penguins, some of the only inhabitants of the Australian territory of Heard Island -- which is among those targeted by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Matt CURNOCK / AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION/AFP
A waddle of King penguins, some of the only inhabitants of the Australian territory of Heard Island -- which is among those targeted by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Matt CURNOCK / AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION/AFP

Donald Trump's tariffs have become a black and white issue on social media, where penguin memes have gone viral after he targeted an island inhabited by the flightless birds, but no people.

One widely shared image on Thursday showed a penguin in place of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office during his recent row with the US president and Vice President JD Vance.

Another meme showed US First Lady Melania Trump gazing up at an emperor penguin -- in place of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- while Trump looks askance.

Trump's announcement of worldwide tariffs on Wednesday certainly received an icy reception in many countries.

But there has also been bafflement about why some of the most remote parts of the world have been targeted.

A case in point: why would Trump slap 10 percent tariffs on all exports from the Heard and McDonald Islands, a barren sub-Antarctic Australian territory without a human population, but four different species of penguin?

"The penguins have been ripping us off for years," Anthony Scaramucci, who was Trump's former communications chief for 11 days in his first term and is now a vocal critic, joked on X.

"Donald Trump slapped tariffs on penguins and not on Putin," posted US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, referring to the fact that Russia was not on the US tariff list.

The White House said sanctions on Russia over President Vladimir Putin's war on meant that there was no "meaningful" trade on which to impose tariffs.

Trump also caused puzzlement with his 29 percent tariff on Norfolk Island, a tiny Australian territory in the Pacific with a population of a little over 2,000 humans.

"I'm not quite sure that Norfolk Island, with respect to it, is a trade competitor with the giant economy of the United States," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Britain's remote Falkland Islands -- home to one million penguins, and most famous for a 1982 war fought by Britain to repel Argentinian invaders -- was hit by 41 percent exports even though the UK only faces 10 percent.

Trump's tariffs have however been no laughing matter for global markets, with US stocks suffering their worst day since the Covid pandemic in 2020.