A Land Bridge: A desert marvel
The formidable “Land Bridge”, described by many as a “desert miracle”, will join Jeddah on the Crimson Sea to Dammam on the Gulf by way of Riyadh, spanning almost 1,500 kilometres of rail.
As soon as accomplished, the challenge will reduce journey time between Riyadh and Jeddah from about 12 hours by automobile to underneath 4 hours by prepare.
Saudi Imaginative and prescient 2030 and railway enlargement
A cornerstone of Saudi Imaginative and prescient 2030, the challenge goals to broaden the nation’s railway community from 5,300 kilometres to over 8,000, positioning the Kingdom as a key logistics and transport hub for each the Gulf and wider Arab areas.
The Saudi Railway Firm (SAR) plans to construct a community of freight and passenger stations linking King Abdullah Port with main industrial cities, notably Yanbu. As a part of its modernisation drive, SAR has ordered 15 new trains able to speeds as much as 200 kilometres per hour.
Dream of the Desert
Alongside the Land Bridge, the Kingdom is making ready to launch “Dream of the Desert”, a 1,290-kilometre luxurious prepare expertise providing travellers panoramic views of Saudi Arabia’s pure landscapes, from Riyadh to Qurayyat.
The enlargement plans additionally embody hydrogen-powered trains, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to scrub power and sustainable transport. Enthusiasm for rail journey is already evident, with over 2.6 million passengers boarding Saudi trains within the second quarter of 2025 alone.
A way forward for built-in connectivity
With the Land Bridge at its core, Saudi Arabia is steadily advancing towards a way forward for built-in land, air, and sea transport, aiming to make the Kingdom the beating coronary heart of transport within the Center East.
With over 30 years of journalistic expertise spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the previous 22 years reporting on nationwide and regional information from Dubai, with a powerful concentrate on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs.
As Chief Information Editor, she brings in depth experience in delivering breaking and interesting information to readers. Starting her tenure as a translator, she superior by means of roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator earlier than transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her present management function. Her obligations embody monitoring breaking information throughout the UAE and the broader Arab area, guaranteeing well timed and correct dissemination to the general public.
Born right into a household of journalists, Khitam’s ardour for information was ignited early in life. A defining second in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the chance to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher throughout her go to to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. Throughout this encounter, Khitam shared her household’s experiences of displacement from their residence in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interplay not solely deepened her understanding of geopolitical points but additionally solidified her dedication to pursuing a profession in journalism, aiming to make clear the tales of these affected by regional conflicts.
Khitam’s dedication to correct and well timed reporting drives her to hunt out information that pursuits readers, making her a trusted supply for information on the UAE and the broader Gulf area.
