Saudi Arabian Railway Company Invites Bids for New Passenger Fleet
The Saudi Arabian Railway Company (SAR) has officially announced a tender for the design, manufacture, and supply of 10 new passenger trains destined for its Northern Network. This strategic initiative is part of SAR's ongoing efforts to significantly enhance transport services and aligns with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
Tender Details and Strategic Objectives
The tender specifies that bids must be submitted by May 11, 2026, in accordance with approved public tender procedures. The comprehensive scope of the tender includes not only the design, manufacturing, and supply of the new passenger trains but also the provision of essential rolling stock maintenance services. This inclusion aims to bolster operational readiness and ensure the long-term sustainability of these critical assets.
Dr. Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik, CEO of SAR, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating that 'The expansion of the passenger train fleet is a strategic objective and a key step in the company's plans to further develop passenger transport services.' He further noted that the introduction of these new trains is expected to meet the growing demand for rail travel by increasing the operational capacity on Saudi Arabia's Northern Network by nearly three times its current level. This will elevate the total annual seating capacity to more than 2.4 million seats, significantly improving SAR's ability to support the sustained growth of intercity passenger transport.
Enhancing the Northern Network
The Northern Network, a vital artery in Saudi Arabia's railway system, spans approximately 2,700 kilometers. It connects several key cities across the Kingdom, including:
- Riyadh
- Al-Majmaah
- Qassim
- Hail
- Al-Jouf
- Al-Qurayyat
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
This tender is an integral part of SAR's phased and continuous strategy to modernize and expand its passenger rolling stock fleet across its various networks. The broader railway program in Saudi Arabia is viewed as a nation-building strategy, crucial for supporting economic diversification and sustainability under Vision 2030. The Kingdom aims to expand its overall rail network to over 8,000 kilometers, establishing itself as a global logistics hub. This development underscores the significant investment in the rail sector, which receives the largest share of investment through 2030 under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
5 Comments
Africa
So excited for the Northern Network expansion. It's about time these areas got better links.
Bermudez
Another massive government spend. Who's actually paying for all this?
Habibi
The focus on the Northern Network is understandable given its length and key cities, yet it raises questions about similar vital expansions for other regions that might also be experiencing growing demand. A balanced national strategy is crucial.
Muchacho
Fantastic step forward for Vision 2030! Modernizing our transport infrastructure is key.
Comandante
The capacity increase is definitely needed for the Northern Network, but the article doesn't detail how they plan to integrate this with existing public transport within the cities themselves. Seamless travel requires more than just intercity lines.