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Saudi Arabia signs $690m passenger train order

By Pramod Kumar
Saudi Arabia Railways selected Stadler as the preferred bidder last year for its new passenger trains SPA
Saudi Arabia Railways selected Stadler as the preferred bidder last year for its new passenger trains

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has signed a $690.16 million contract with Stadler, a Swiss rail infrastructure and train manufacturer, for 10 “next-generation” passenger trains for its growing railway network.

The state-owned rail network operator can order an additional 10 units in the future, state-run SPA news agency reported. 

Trains will be 175 metres long, self-propelled with two independent diesel-electric power heads meeting the latest European emission standards stage V and have a passenger capacity of 320.  

The contract provides full maintenance support and spare parts for 10 years with an option to be extended to an additional 10 trainsets for 10 years.

Transport minister and chairman of SAR Saleh Al-Jasser said that the trains will double the annual capacity of the eastern network to over 3.8 million passengers annually and provide a direct express service between Riyadh and Dammam to meet the growing demand for trips between the two main cities.

The GCC market is expected to outperform other railway markets in terms of travel experience and passenger growth, said Peter Spuhler, executive chairman of Stadler Rail.

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