Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has confirmed that the long-planned Riyadh–Jeddah Land Bridge rail challenge will likely be delivered in phases, with completion focused earlier than 2034, after negotiations with a Chinese language consortium didn’t end in an settlement.
Talking on the tv programme Fi Al Surah (“Within the Image”), Saudi Arabia Railways chief government Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik stated discussions with the Chinese language alliance ended as a result of the consortium failed to fulfill the Kingdom’s native content material necessities. Because of this, the strategic rail hyperlink will proceed “via a brand new mechanism and in phases”, aligned with nationwide priorities.
The Land Bridge challenge is meant to attach the capital, Riyadh, with the Purple Sea port metropolis of Jeddah, making a key east–west hall for each freight and passenger providers. The route is anticipated to strengthen logistics effectivity throughout the Kingdom, assist financial diversification and improve connectivity between main inhabitants and industrial centres.
Al-Malik’s feedback got here as he outlined Saudi Arabia Railways’ broader rail technique and up to date operational developments throughout Saudi Arabia. He stated freight prepare operations had been relocated away from Hofuf final 12 months to enhance residents’ high quality of life, describing the transfer as a part of efforts to stability infrastructure growth with neighborhood issues.
Addressing questions on station areas within the north of the Kingdom, Al-Malik defined that Al-Jouf station is situated a ways from Sakaka metropolis as a result of the railway alignment was initially designed to serve mining actions. Passenger providers have been added later because the community developed past its preliminary industrial focus.
On seasonal and non secular transport, Al-Malik stated Saudi Arabia Railways was tasked by a Council of Ministers determination with working the Mashaaer Prepare throughout the Hajj season. He famous that the service was operated throughout the latest Hajj with 100 per cent Saudi manpower. “The Mashaaer Prepare is among the many largest on the earth,” he stated, including that every prepare can carry round 3,000 passengers per journey.
Turning to regional connectivity, Al-Malik described the Riyadh–Doha line as the primary high-speed rail service within the area to hyperlink two international locations. He stated the route operates over a 785-kilometre community, serves Hofuf and Dammam, and reaches speeds of as much as 300 kilometres per hour. The road connects King Salman Worldwide Airport in Riyadh with Hamad Worldwide Airport in Doha, strengthening integration between air and rail transport.
Al-Malik additionally highlighted the rising participation of ladies within the rail sector, noting robust efficiency by Saudi girls working the Haramain Excessive Pace Railway following the launch of devoted coaching programmes.
He added that growth work is constant on the Japanese Railway Community, with new trains anticipated to enter service by the tip of 2027, doubling passenger capability on the route.
