Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Rail Network Expansion To Exceed 8,000 Kilometers Under Vision 2030

Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and chairman of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), inaugurated the inaugural Saudi Rail Conference and Exhibition in Riyadh. The event attracted prominent officials, experts, and decision-makers from the global railway industry. Eng. Al-Jasser's keynote speech focused on Saudi Arabia's ambitious rail infrastructure plans.

He highlighted that under visionary leadership, Saudi Arabia aims to expand its rail network to over 8,000 kilometers in the coming years. This expansion will strengthen the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub. Currently, the rail network spans more than 5,500 kilometers, showcasing significant progress in development.

The minister emphasized key networks like the North Network connecting Riyadh to Jordan and the East Network linking Riyadh to the Arabian Gulf coast. He also highlighted the Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR), an advanced electric rail system connecting Makkah and Madinah. Since its launch in 2018, HHR has served over 20 million passengers and reduced road freight traffic by over a million truck trips annually.

These developments align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a vital component of Saudi Vision 2030. Eng. Al-Jasser praised the exceptional support from Saudi leadership for transport and logistics advancements. The conference underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a leading player in regional and global railway sectors.

During the conference, Eng. Al-Jasser introduced the Asasat Program aimed at localising Saudi Arabia's railway industry. This initiative is expected to attract SAR15 billion in investments by 2030, increase local content in SAR operations to 60% by 2025, and create over 3,000 jobs locally.

The opening day featured several agreements and memoranda of cooperation between participating entities to foster collaboration within the sector. Attendees explored advanced technologies aimed at enhancing railway efficiency and effectiveness.

Innovative Solutions Showcased

Both local and international exhibitors presented innovative offerings highlighting future rail transport advancements. The conference was hosted by SAR as a strategic partner, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to building state-of-the-art infrastructure supporting Vision 2030 goals.

Eng. Al-Jasser affirmed SAR’s commitment to fostering innovation across public and private sectors for sustainable transport solutions. This positions Saudi Arabia as a leader in railway development.

With inputs from SPA