Thales, a global technology leader for the aerospace and transport sector, has signed a two-year maintenance contract with Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to maintain the signalling, telecommunication and electromechanical systems of the Kingdom’s North-South Railways project.
This contract also includes the transfer of knowledge to SAR national human capital teams, which is in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the company said.
The Northern Train project in Saudi Arabia is the longest railway in the world equipped with state-of-the-art technology signalling and communications systems, the ETCS Level 2. The project, currently in operation, involved the construction of 2,400 km of track, sidings, yards, depots, stations and administrative facilities of the two lines. SAR transports passengers from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurrayat in northern Saudi Arabia, in addition to the heavy transport of minerals such as raw phosphates and bauxite from the Wa’ad Al-Shamal phosphate mine.
The maintenance activities will be performed by Thales’ trained engineers and technicians located across eight maintenance bases situated along the railway line.
Thales will work with Buraidah’s Saudi Railway Polytechnic to train 1,500 students to obtain vocational qualifications.
“This will allow SAR maintenance teams to gradually and efficiently take over the maintenance activities by the end of the two-year contract,” the company said.
Jean-Yves Tolot, country director of Thales in Saudi Arabia, said: “Throughout its historic presence in the Kingdom, the group has developed very strong cooperation with local industries and universities to speed up the transfer of knowledge, know-how and capabilities. In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program 2020 (NTP), this project further illustrates Thales’ commitment to ensure the SAR maintenance [personnel] are able to continue in their efforts long after our contract expires, and contribute toward the Kingdom’s success.”
He added: “This contract win further solidifies our footprint in the Kingdom. Along with our partners we have established a solid industrial network to provide maintenance and services to our customers in the Kingdom.”
In the Kingdom, Thales provides maintenance services to the Al-Mashaer Al-Mugaddassah Makkah Metro (MMMP) and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Thales signs maintenance contract with Saudi Railway Company
Thales signs maintenance contract with Saudi Railway Company
ALJ Motors champions Toyota SUVs’ off-road legacy
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, has launched the second edition of its off-road initiative — an immersive driving experience designed to engage guests and showcase the real-world capabilities of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Kingdom’s desert terrains. The activation takes place on weekends, starting initially in Riyadh and continuing through Jeddah, before concluding in Dammam on Jan. 24.
The multi-city activation is designed to engage guests through Toyota’s SUV lineup in fun and exciting ways, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience vehicle performance, control, and versatility. The lineup features a wide range of Toyota SUV models, including the Land Cruiser HEV Max, a hybrid vehicle built for performance. Beyond the off-road drives, the activation offers a welcoming weekend setting with supporting activities suitable for families and younger guests, creating a well-rounded experience for visitors of all ages.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed more than 4,500 participants and attracted over 10,000 attendees, the second edition continues to focus on meaningful guest engagement through interactive and experiential driving activities while emphasizing safety, trust, and enjoyment. Through this approach, ALJ Motors champions Toyota’s off-road legacy while creating an experience that further connects guests with Toyota’s renowned SUV lineup.
Shahad Nassier, managing director of marketing communications at ALJ Motors, said: “Following the strong response to the inaugural season, the return of this off-road experience allows us to continue engaging our guests in an authentic and exciting way. In this second edition, we have further refined the driving routes and elevated the overall experience to better serve our guests and their families. By bringing Toyota’s SUV lineup into real desert environments, we provide an opportunity for guests to experience vehicle performance firsthand, while reinforcing the values of reliability and capability that have long defined Toyota’s presence in the Kingdom.”
The experiential initiative deepens guest relationships, supports informed vehicle choice, and reflects ALJ Motors’ ongoing role in delivering reliable and diversified mobility solutions across the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Guests interested in participating in the off-road experience can register for the upcoming activations in Jeddah on Jan. 9-10, followed by Dammam on Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, through ALJ Motors’ official social channels.
