Saudi Arabia railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Saudi Arabia.
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NewsSaudi Arabia Railways orders its next generation of inter-city trains
SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia Railways has signed contracts for Stadler to supply its next generation of passenger trains. The Swiss manufacturer said these would ‘elevate train travel in the kingdom to the next level in terms of passenger comfort, travel experience and reliability’. The contracts signed ...
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Metro Report International‘Truly unique’ history-inspired tramway to be built in Saudi Arabia
SAUDI ARABIA: The Royal Commission for AlUla has awarded Alstom a €500m contract to supply a ‘truly unique’ tramway inspired by heritage including the historic Hedjaz Railway. Alstom said the 22·4 km line would be the world’s longest catenary-free tramway, and will ‘encapsulate richness, history and ...
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NewsHydrogen train to be demonstrated in Riyadh
SAUDI ARABIA: Alstom and Saudi Arabia Railways are to demonstrate the operation of a Coradia iLint hydrogen multiple-unit in Riyadh. Alstom said ’this ground-breaking demonstration marks the first-ever introduction of a hydrogen-powered train in the Middle East and Africa’. The iLint will operate over a distance ...
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NewsRail training programmes developed for young Saudis
SAUDI ARABIA: Alstom and Saudi Railway Polytechnic have formed a partnership to provide Saudis aged 18 to 26 with Rolling Stock & Traction and Signalling & Telecom technical and vocational training. The programme will begin with 20 trainees. Male participants will have six months of intensive ...
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NewsRailway planned as part of India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor
ASIA: Ambitions to develop an India – Middle East – Europe economic corridor with sea transport from India to the Gulf region and a railway linking Middle Eastern countries with each other and to Europe were announced at the G20 summit in New Delhi. IMEC is ...
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In depthComment: Trains on the tourist trail
As summer moves into autumn in the northern hemisphere, a debate is beginning over the future of tourism, catalysed in part by the searing heatwaves and wildfires that have been sweeping across much of the planet.
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NewsRecord traffic on Saudi high speed line during Ramadan
SAUDI ARABIA: The Haramain High Speed Rail line which connects Makkah and Madinah carried a record number of passengers during the Ramadan period, when a special timetable was operated to meet the high demand. Spanish national train operator RENFE, which operates the line on behalf of ...
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NewsDream of the Desert cruise train planned for Saudi Arabia
SAUDI ARABIA: A Dream of the Desert five-star luxury cruise train service on the North South Railway from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat on the border with Jordan is planned to launch in 2025. A memorandum of understanding for the project was signed at the Saudi ...
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Metro Report InternationalRATP Dev to develop AlUla transport strategy
SAUDI ARABIA: The Royal Commission for AlUla has awarded France’s RATP Dev a ’360 Mobility’ contract covering the development and implementation of a comprehensive transport strategy to support tourism. RATP Dev will support RCU in developing plans, policies, governance and infrastructure. This will include the ‘experiential’ ...
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In depthSaudi Arabia: SAR seeks international partners as expansion and privatisation plans develop
Dr Bashar bin Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Saudi Arabia Railways speaks exclusively to Railway Gazette International about plans to expand the network, develop a regional supply sector and prepare for privatisation as part of the national Vision 2030 strategy.
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NewsSaudi Arabia Railways invites bids to supply next generation inter-city trains
SAUDI ARABIA: Prequalified companies have been invited to submit tenders to supply and maintain Saudi Arabia Railways’ next generation of inter-city passenger trains. The tender covers an base order of 10 trainsets to increase capacity on the Riyadh – Dammam route, with an option for a ...
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Metro Report InternationalMakkah metro communications upgraded for Hajj operations
SAUDI ARABIA: Hytera has replaced the communication systems on the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah metro line in Makkah which only operates during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Hytera said the existing communication system, which had been running since the 18 km line opened in November 2010, had ...
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Metro Report InternationalHedjaz Railway-inspired trams planned in AlUla
SAUDI ARABIA: Plans for a 50 km light rail network with trams designed to look like trains from the historic Hedjaz Railway have been announced by the Royal Commission for AlUla. The tramway would connect urban areas, archaeological sites and tourist destinations around the ancient city ...
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Metro Report InternationalRiyadh metro connectivity contract
SAUDI ARABIA: Czech company Passengera has completed its largest contract to date, covering the provision of internet connectivity and wi-fi on the Riyadh metro which is nearing completion. ‘The project includes the design of the communications infrastructure, the installation of wi-fi in several different types of ...
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NewsCAF to develop Saudi rail expertise
SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia Railways has awarded CAF a €200m, five-year contract to maintain and support the trainsets it supplied for the North–South Railway and Riyadh – Dammam routes and to develop local technical competencies. SAR’s depot facilities will be adapted to undertake the overhaul of ...
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NewsSaudi Arabia seeks new inter-city train fleet
SAUDI ARABIA: National railway company Saudi Arabia Railways has called for expressions of interest in a contract to design, supply and maintain its next generation of inter-city passenger trains. The first batch of new trainsets is planned to enter service by 2025, increasing capacity on the ...
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NewsFirst cohort of Saudi women begins train driver training
SAUDI ARABIA: After receiving 28 000 applications from women for 30 high speed train driving vacancies, Renfe is about to begin training the successful candidates. According to the Spanish operator, the first trains to be driven by Saudi women should be running between Makkah and Madinah ...
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News28 000 Saudi women apply for high speed train driving jobs
SAUDI ARABIA: More than 28 000 Saudi women have applied for the first 30 train driving jobs to be open to them. The drivers are being recruited by Spanish national operator RENFE, which has a 12-year contract to operate the Haramain High Speed Rail line between ...
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Metro Report InternationalWomen’s university awards Hitachi Rail new operating contract
SAUDI ARABIA: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University has awarded Hitachi Rail a €72·5m contract to continue to operate and maintain the driverless light metro on its Riyadh campus for a further three years. The four-line network serving the women’s university campus totals 11·5 km with 14 ...
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NewsEtihad Rail and Saudi Railway Co sign co-operation agreement
ASIA: UAE’s Etihad Rail and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Railway Co have signed an agreement establishing a framework for the exchange of services, training and knowledge. The two railways will initially focus on locomotive and wagon leasing arrangements, the purchase of spare parts, special volunteer groups and ...