SAUDI ARABIA: Haramain High Speed Rail project concessionaire Al-Shoula Consortium has appointed Royal HaskoningDHV to carry out a detailed market study for the line. This is intended to help Saudi Railways Organization predict passenger numbers and needs, and support the development of targeted operations strategies to offer the most suitable and efficient services.
Surveys are to be carried out at strategic locations including road check points, bus and taxi interchanges in Makkah and Jeddah, the terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport and onboard the trains once the service starts. The surveys will examine current travel patterns to help predict the profile of potential passengers, including their economic characteristics and expectations.
Following the surveys, a comprehensive technical analysis will be carried out to examine future travel demand and produce passenger forecasts. This will include considering the needs of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
‘Royal HaskoningDHV has been working in the Middle East for over 50 years and our local knowledge of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, combined with our international expertise in railways and transport planning, makes us well placed to undertake this important market study’, said Royal HaskoningDHV’s Director of Transport & Planning Dr Marwan Al-Azzawi on April 17.
- On April 17 Saudi Railway Co CEO Dr Bashar Al Malek told the SmartRail conference in Amsterdam that Haramain High Speed Rail services would ‘commence within the next few weeks.’
