RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s national railway operator has signed a deal to purchase 20 new high-speed trains from Spain’s Talgo to expand the Haramain high-speed rail fleet and increase its passenger carrying capacity to more than 30 million passengers per year.
The agreement was announced by Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) on Sunday under the patronage of Saleh Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, who is also Chairman of Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR), and in the presence of Oscar Puente, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Spain.
Deliveries of the new vehicles are scheduled to begin at the end of 2028, with full deliveries expected to be completed by 2031.
Once operational, the train will serve the entire Haramain high-speed rail network, connecting Makkah and Madinah with five stations.
Al Jasser expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its continued support to the transport and logistics sector, noting that this expansion is in line with the national transport and logistics strategy and will strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub.
He said the Haramain high-speed railway, inaugurated in 2018 by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, is one of Saudi Arabia’s most strategic transport projects and is directly linked to serving the Two Holy Mosques.
He added that increasing the fleet is essential to improve the mobility of pilgrims and visitors by providing safe, modern and reliable transportation while supporting the Kingdom’s broader transition to sustainable transportation solutions.
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Bashar Al Malik, CEO of SAR, said the addition of the trains will significantly improve the travel experience for pilgrims and Umrah performers, especially during peak seasons, by increasing operational flexibility and easing congestion between Makkah and Madinah.
He said the expansion will increase the railway’s annual carrying capacity to more than 30 million people, enabling the network to more efficiently respond to growing demand and the expected increase in the number of pilgrims and visitors in the coming years.
The Haramain high-speed train is currently the fastest means of transport between the two holy sites, operating at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and completing the journey in approximately two hours.
The route includes intermediate stations in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City.
Currently, the railway operates a fleet of 35 trains. The addition of new orders will increase the total number of vehicles to 55 trains once deliveries are completed, significantly strengthening the network’s readiness for the Umrah and Hajj seasons.
Each new train will consist of 13 coaches, including eight economy class coaches and five business class coaches, with a total seating capacity of 417 passengers.
The trains will also include dedicated, fully equipped coaches for passengers with disabilities, supporting inclusive access and improved service for all travellers.
