Transporting 30 million tons of freight through rail in 2025 meant 2 million truck journeys faraway from Kingdom’s highways and 139 million liters of gas saved
It additionally meant a discount of carbon emissions by 364,000 tons, contributing on to the Saudi Inexperienced Initiative
Arab Information
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has introduced record-breaking operational milestones for the yr 2025, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s logistics and tourism sectors.
SAR transported over 14 million passengers, representing a major leap from the 11.2 million passengers recorded in 2023, highlighting the growing adoption of rail journey for each commuting and pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Company reported.
Equally, freight operations have expanded robustly from roughly 24 million tons in 2023 to the present 30 million tons, pushed by elevated industrial demand and mining logistics.
By transporting 30 million tons of freight through rail in 2025, the community efficiently eliminated two million truck journeys from the Kingdom’s highways, leading to 139 million liters of gas saved.
It additionally meant a discount of carbon emissions by 364,000 tons, contributing on to the Saudi Inexperienced Initiative, the report mentioned.
These figures underscore SAR’s pivotal position in realizing the Nationwide Transport and Logistics Technique (NTLS) and Saudi Imaginative and prescient 2030, delivering a community that isn’t solely environment friendly but in addition environmentally sustainable.
“Dream of the Desert”
A standout achievement of 2025 was the official launch of the Dream of the Desert, the primary luxurious prepare service within the Center East and North Africa.
Minister of Transport and Logistic Companies and SAR Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser unveiled the primary “Dream of the Desert” carriage final October as one of many FII9 highlights. (SPA file photograph)
Developed in partnership with the Italian luxurious hospitality firm Arsenale Group, this service has redefined rail tourism. The prepare options 40 custom-designed luxurious cabins, providing a “rail cruise” expertise impressed by the traditional Orient Categorical however with a definite Saudi Arabian id. The route traverses the Kingdom from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, stopping at key cultural heritage websites together with Ha’il and Al-Jouf, successfully turning the journey itself right into a vacation spot.
In a serious transfer to capitalize on Transit-Oriented Growth (TOD), SAR introduced the institution of a SAR6 billion actual property fund centered on Makkah.
This fund is devoted to growing prime lands adjoining to the Haramain Excessive Velocity Railway station in Makkah. The initiative goals to boost the pilgrim expertise by setting up high-capacity inns, business facilities, and residential items immediately linked to the station. This improvement not solely diversifies SAR’s income streams but in addition helps the federal government’s objective of internet hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims yearly by seamlessly integrating transport and lodging.
World Recognition
Internationally, SAR’s dedication to excellence was acknowledged on the worldwide stage. SAR grew to become the primary firm to win the celebrated Worldwide Union of Railways (UIC) award for long-distance vacationer trains.
The ceremony was held on the union’s headquarters in Paris, France, with broad participation from main railway corporations worldwide.
The UIC, often called the worldwide railway group, offered the award in recognition of SAR’s innovation in integrating luxurious tourism with heavy rail infrastructure.
This accolade cements SAR’s fame for service high quality and locations the Kingdom on the map as a premier vacation spot for railway fans and luxurious vacationers alike.
