Compared to the same period last year, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) reported a 17% rise in the number of passengers utilizing its trains in the first half of 2024.
In the first half of 2024, the SAR network enabled 17,200 travels on the Eastern Train, Northern Train, and Haramain High-Speed Train networks. From the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2024, the volume of minerals and goods transported by SAR increased by 9%, which reduced the number of vehicle journeys on the Kingdom's roadways and reduced carbon emissions.
August 7, 2024, in Riyadh. Over 5.1 million people utilized Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) trains in the first half of 2024, according to operational data the company disclosed. This represents a 17% increase over the same time the previous year.The SAR data shows that the number of network journeys increased by 5% in the first half of 2024. In particular, 17,200 trips were made possible by the networks of the Eastern Train, Northern Train, and Haramain High-Speed Train.Between the same period in 2023 and the first half of this year, the volume of minerals and goods moved over its network exceeded 13.26 million tons, a 9% increase from the prior year. Consequently, the number of vehicle trips on the Kingdom's roads has decreased by about one million, improving traffic safety, safeguarding the road infrastructure, and significantly lowering carbon emissions in line with national goals.The Chief Executive Officer of SAR, Dr. Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik, highlighted the successes of the 1445 AH Hajj season. He complimented the company's continued efforts and the Saudi leadership's steadfast support for these accomplishments. These initiatives are consistent with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, and they directly affect passenger service.Al-Malik inked many memoranda of understanding and strategic agreements to improve railway traffic in the first half of the year. Additionally, he discussed the impending start of the first luxury train service in North Africa and the Middle East, which is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. With this service, SAR hopes to demonstrate its commitment to improving transportation services.Two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed by the Saudi Authority for Logistics Zones (SAR) and the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) in order to link the second industrial city of Dammam's logistics zone to the rail system. As a result, the industrial sector will be able to link to national, regional, and local networks.