Saudi Arabia To Expand Rail Network To Over 8,000 km, Says Transport Minister

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) chairman Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser inaugurated the first edition of the Saudi Rail Conference and Exhibition. High-profile officials, experts, and decision-makers from the global railway industry were part of the event.

In his keynote speech, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser highlighted the country's ambitious plans for its rail infrastructure. "Under the vision and support of our wise leadership, the Kingdom is set to experience unprecedented growth in its rail network, expanding to over 8,000 kilometers in the coming years," said the minister. Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser added that the expansion will further solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub.

The minister also underscored Saudi Arabia's progress in rail development, noting that the current network spans over 5,500 kilometers. He highlighted key networks, including the North Network, which connects Riyadh to the Jordanian border, and the East Network, linking Riyadh to the Arabian Gulf coast. Eng. Al-Jasser emphasized that these developments align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia also introduced the Asasat Program, aimed at localizing the railway industry. The initiative is expected to generate investment opportunities worth SAR15 billion by 2030, increase local content in SAR’s operations to 60% by next year, and create over 3,000 jobs in the local market.