Riyadh, February 06, 2024, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has entered into a significant contract with Stadler, a leading Swiss rail infrastructure and train manufacturer, for the procurement and maintenance of ten cutting-edge passenger trains destined for SAR's East railway network. Additionally, the contract includes an option for SAR to acquire an additional ten units in the future.
Under the agreement inked by SAR CEO Bashar AlMalik and Stadler President Peter Spuhler, the forthcoming trains will adhere to the latest European and international standards, tailored to suit the unique climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. These trains are envisioned to provide passengers with a comfortable and secure travel experience. Each train will boast a capacity to accommodate approximately 340 passengers, featuring dedicated wheelchair tracks to cater to individuals with mobility impairments.
The signing ceremony, attended by Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAR, Saleh Al-Jasser, marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's rail infrastructure development. Al-Jasser highlighted that the introduction of these trains will effectively double the annual capacity of the East Trains to over 3.8 million passengers, facilitating direct express services between Riyadh and Dammam to meet the escalating demand for travel between these key cities in the Kingdom.
Echoing Al-Jasser's sentiments, SAR CEO AlMalik affirmed SAR's unwavering commitment to revolutionizing the rail transport sector in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that these state-of-the-art trains will cater to the comprehensive operational needs of the East railway network by augmenting seating capacity, increasing the frequency of daily trips, and bolstering the overall annual capacity of the network. The deployment of these modern trains is expected to cover key stations including Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq, and Dammam, thereby enhancing connectivity and accessibility across the region.
