Politics
Launch of the pilot operation of the public bus transport project in Makkah
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, through the Unified Transport Center in Makkah (Makkah Transport), launched today (Tuesday),
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, through the Unified Transport Center in Makkah (Makkah Transport), launched today (Tuesday) the trial operation of the first phase of the Makkah public bus transport project, on the route that connects the Haramain High-Speed Railway station in the Al-Rusaifah district and the Jabal Omar station near the courtyards of the Grand Mosque. The project is one of the initiatives of the Guests of God Service Program, one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030. It comes as an extension of previous efforts undertaken by the Makkah Region Development Authority, headed by the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.
The CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Farouk Addas, confirmed that the Unified Transport Center in Makkah (Makkah Transport) achieves institutional integration between the entities operating in the transport sector within Makkah City and the Holy Sites, as its organizational structure includes full planning, asset management and operation, and project management.
Engineer Addas explained that the Unified Transport Center in Makkah aims to develop transport services to be more comfortable and safe, in accordance with advanced technologies to serve the residents of Makkah and the pilgrims, taking into account the requirements of all ages and people with special needs. He stressed that the Royal Commission aspires, through the experimental phase of the buses (Makkah buses), to provide means to improve the service provided to citizens, residents and pilgrims, within a continuous monitoring and development plan.
The CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites stressed that the pilot phase takes into account the opinions of the people, including citizens, residents, and pilgrims, regarding the service provided, in order to improve it and provide the highest standards in a continuous development journey.
It is noted that this phase is part of a comprehensive public transport plan in the city of Makkah, which aims to bring about a qualitative shift in the development of public transport and improve the service provided to the people of Makkah and its visitors, including pilgrims and Umrah performers, through an integrated service system that fulfills the leadership’s directives and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The launch begins via route 7A, which connects the Haramain High-Speed Railway station in the Al-Rusaifah district and the Jabal Omar station near the courtyards of the Grand Mosque, in a trial phase that helps to conduct tests on the operating mechanisms to raise the efficiency of the operation of the bus network and support services.
The pilot bus represents a model for the project's fleet of 240 buses, each with a capacity of 85 passengers. An additional 160 articulated buses, each with a capacity of 125 passengers, have also been supplied, manufactured to the highest international standards.
The Makkah Bus Project aims to provide the best and most efficient means of public transportation, through 12 routes covering main and secondary streets and streets extending between neighborhoods. It will also play an important role in reducing the number of cars on the streets and roads of Makkah, thus reducing the rate of environmental pollution and traffic congestion. The project will give the city of Makkah a world-class transportation system that is safe and reliable to serve the residents and guests of the Holy Mosque.
The project aims to accommodate the transportation needs resulting from the expected growth in the number of guests of the Holy Mosque and the holy sites, support economic development in Makkah, provide easy access to the Holy Mosque and educational, functional, health, commercial and recreational facilities, contribute to reducing pollution and protecting the environment in the central area in particular, and throughout the region by reducing reliance on small cars as a means of transportation, and develop the transportation system to be a sustainable system, especially in the heart of Makkah, the attractive and special spot to which Muslims from all over the world come throughout the year.
The bus network in the city of Makkah is spread over 12 routes served by approximately 425 stops and four main stations in the central area.
The project consists of: (a contract for the supply, operation and maintenance of 400 buses for a period of 8 years and 6 months, and the construction of a bus depot, which includes (a control building, a driver management building, a fuel station, a light maintenance workshop, a bus washing and maintenance workshop, a heavy maintenance workshop, bus parking areas, and driver accommodation facilities).
The buses are equipped with fire extinguishing systems in every bus, protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions
Safety systems include surveillance cameras inside and outside the bus, a collision avoidance system, and electronic screens displaying the destination. A hydraulic system assists passengers with disabilities, and spaces are available for strollers and other mobility aids. Each bus also features Wi-Fi and an audio-visual system providing on-board information. The bus schedule will be efficient, catering to transportation needs during off-peak days, peak hours, and seasonal periods, with up to 20 hours of operation daily.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is overseeing the trial operation phase and the implementation and completion of the remaining routes for the Makkah bus project, which will be carried out in 4 phases in the coming months, as planned.
Politics
The Crown Prince receives a message from the President of the Maldives to strengthen relations
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from the President of the Maldives concerning bilateral relations, which was received by the Deputy Foreign Minister during his meeting with the Maldivian Ambassador in Riyadh.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a written message from His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Moez, President of the Republic of Maldives, concerning ways to strengthen the strong bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and discussing prospects for joint cooperation in various fields.
The message was received on behalf of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, during his reception today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh of the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ahmed Sarir.
During the reception, the distinguished bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the Maldives were reviewed, and ways to develop them in a manner that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples were discussed, in addition to discussing a number of topics of common interest, and exchanging views on regional and international developments.
The depth of Saudi-Maldivian relations
This message comes within the framework of ongoing communication between the leaderships of the two countries, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Maldives share close historical and fraternal relations based on commonalities in Islamic identity and mutual cooperation. The Kingdom is a strategic partner of the Maldives in numerous development projects. Over the past decades, the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to financing many vital infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including airport development, housing projects, and the health sector, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to supporting the stability and prosperity of its sister nations.
Prospects for future cooperation
This diplomatic engagement is particularly important in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to expand international partnerships and enhance economic and investment cooperation. Given the Maldives' status as a global tourist destination and the Kingdom's focus on developing the tourism sector as a cornerstone of economic diversification, promising opportunities exist for the exchange of expertise and investments between the two countries. Furthermore, both nations play significant roles within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, making political coordination between them vital for addressing the challenges facing the Muslim world.
The reception of the Maldivian ambassador by Engineer Waleed Al-Khuraiji confirms the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ keenness to activate diplomatic communication channels and follow up on the outcomes of bilateral cooperation, in order to ensure the realization of the leadership’s aspirations in both countries towards greater integration and growth.
Politics
The leadership offers condolences to the King of Jordan on the death of Ahmed Obeidat | Details of the telegram
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince sent two telegrams of condolence to the King of Jordan on the death of former Prime Minister Ahmed Obeidat, stressing the depth of fraternal relations and expressing their condolences to the Jordanian people.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent two cables of condolence and sympathy to His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the death of the former Jordanian Prime Minister, Ahmed Obeidat, who passed away after a career full of giving in service to his country.
Details of the royal telegram
In their telegrams, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince expressed their deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to His Majesty the King of Jordan, the family of the deceased, and the brotherly Jordanian people. The wise leadership prayed to God Almighty to bestow His mercy and forgiveness upon the deceased, grant him a place in Paradise, and grant his family patience and solace. They also prayed that God protect the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, its leadership, and its people from all harm and evil, affirming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's unwavering support for Jordan in all circumstances.
Ahmed Obeidat: A remarkable political and security career
The late Ahmed Obeidat, who passed away last Tuesday, was one of Jordan's most prominent statesmen of recent decades. He held sensitive and pivotal positions in the history of the Kingdom, serving as Prime Minister in the 1980s, and prior to that as Director of the General Intelligence Directorate and Minister of the Interior. Obeidat was known for his political and security acumen, and played a key role in drafting the Jordanian National Charter. He was also an active member of the Senate for several terms, making him a widely respected figure in political and social circles.
Funeral and mourning ceremonies
The funeral procession for the deceased took place in his hometown of Haritha, in the Irbid Governorate of northern Jordan, amidst a large official and public attendance reflecting the high esteem in which he was held. Mourners flocked from across Jordan to offer their condolences, recalling the deceased's virtues and patriotic stances.
The depth of Saudi-Jordanian relations
The condolences offered by the Saudi leadership reaffirm the deep-rooted fraternal and historical ties that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Relations between the two brotherly nations are characterized by continuous coordination and ongoing consultation on all issues, in addition to the strong social and familial bonds that unite their peoples, making their grief a shared sorrow in such tragic events.
Politics
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz departs Riyadh after an official visit
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz departs Riyadh after an official visit to the Kingdom. He was seen off by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh and the Minister of Finance, in a move to strengthen Saudi-German relations.
The Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, and his accompanying high-level delegation left the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today (Thursday), after concluding an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which he held important talks aimed at strengthening the bonds of joint cooperation between the two friendly countries.
Official farewell ceremony at King Khalid International Airport
A formal farewell ceremony was held for the German Chancellor at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Among those bidding him farewell were His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, and His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh. Also present were the Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan (the accompanying minister), the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Germany, Mr. Fahd Al-Hathal, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom, Mr. Michael Kindsgrapp, the Acting Director of Riyadh Region Police, Major General Mansour bin Nasser Al-Otaibi, and the Deputy Chief of Royal Protocol, Mr. Fahd Al-Sahil.
Dimensions of the visit and the depth of Saudi-German relations
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Riyadh comes at a crucial time, reflecting the depth of the historical and strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Germany. These relations, spanning decades, have been characterized by mutual respect and constructive cooperation across various fields. Such reciprocal visits between the two countries' leaders are a cornerstone for coordinating positions on global and regional issues, particularly in light of the geopolitical challenges facing the world, thus underscoring the role of Riyadh and Berlin as influential capitals in international decision-making.
Economic partnership and the prospects of Vision 2030
This visit holds significant economic importance, as Germany is a major trading partner for the Kingdom and one of the leading economies in the European Union. In light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, both sides seek to deepen cooperation in vital sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, technology, and industry. The presence of Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan as the accompanying minister reflects the economic weight of the discussions, as German companies look to contribute more to the Kingdom's mega-projects, thus enhancing opportunities for mutual investment and supporting economic diversification plans.
Coordinating efforts to promote regional stability
Politically, Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East. Germany highly values the Saudi role in addressing regional crises, combating terrorism, and ensuring the security of global energy supplies. Therefore, the German Chancellor's visit is part of ongoing efforts to align perspectives on pressing regional issues and to work together to support peace and sustainable development, reflecting both countries' commitment to their international responsibilities as active members of the G20.
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