Saudi to open 2,750km Riyadh-Gurayat rail line in Dec

Saudi Arabia is planning to open a 2,750km rail line between Riyadh and Gurayat near the Jordanian border in December, according to reports.

The new line, which is being built at a cost of SAR10bn ($2.66bn), will reduce rail travel time between the two cities from 13 to eight hours.

Two trains will operate the line during the day and overnight respectively and pass through Al Majma’ah, Al Qassim, Hail and Al-Jouf.

Services between Riyadh and Al Qassim began in February.

Read: Saudi begins new rail link between Riyadh and Al Qassim

Saudi Gazette cited an official from Saudi Railways Company as confirming the December 24 opening date.

The daytime train will include nine coaches, with three for business class passengers, four for economy passengers and one each for dining and baggage.

“This train can carry 444 passengers and will run at a speed of 200 kmh,” the official was quoted as saying.

The night train will have 13 coaches – three for economy, one for business, three sleeping, four to transport cars and one each for dining and baggage.

It will accommodate 377 passengers and travel at 160kmh.

Each of the six stations on the line will also feature arrivals and departures areas and areas for shops, restaurants, tourist services and car rental as well as parking for 500 vehicles.

The planned December opening comes following several trial runs over the past year.

The kingdom is also expected to open a 450km express line between the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah in the first quarter of 2018.

Read: Saudi conducts Haramain Express Train passenger trial