Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has signed an agreement with Spanish company Talgo to buy 20 new trains to strengthen the Haramain High-Speed Railway fleet, in a step aimed at raising the network's capacity to more than 30 million passengers a year and enhancing operational readiness during peak seasons.
Delivery of the first batches of the new trains is scheduled to begin at the end of 2028, with full delivery completed by 2031, raising the total number of trains in the Haramain fleet to 55, compared with 35 trains currently, according to a statement published on the company's official account on X.
Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of SAR, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, stressed that the agreement comes within the targets of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub, along with developing the transport system between Makkah and Madinah to serve the Guests of Al-Rahman.
For his part, SAR CEO Dr. Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik explained that the new trains will help improve the passenger experience and increase the flow of traffic between the two holy cities, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, while providing greater operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway is one of the most prominent transport projects in the Kingdom, with an operating speed of 300 km/h. The journey between Makkah and Madinah takes about two hours, passing through the stations of Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City.
According to the technical specifications, each train consists of 13 cars with 417 seats, including 304 Economy Class seats and 113 Business Class seats, in addition to dedicated facilities for people with disabilities, enhancing the inclusiveness of the services provided. The agreement was signed under the patronage of the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of SAR, in the presence of Spain's Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente.
To view the post on Saudi Arabia Railways' account on X, click here.
