Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has confirmed that the long-planned Riyadh–Jeddah Land Bridge rail project will be delivered in phases, with completion targeted before 2034, after negotiations with a Chinese consortium did not result in an agreement.
Speaking on the television programme Fi Al Surah (“In the Picture”), Saudi Arabia Railways chief executive Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik said discussions with the Chinese alliance ended because the consortium failed to meet the Kingdom’s local content requirements. As a result, the strategic rail link will proceed “through a new mechanism and in phases”, aligned with national priorities.
Saudi rail project moves ahead
The Land Bridge project is intended to connect the capital, Riyadh, with the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, creating a key east–west corridor for both freight and passenger services. The route is expected to strengthen logistics efficiency across the Kingdom, support economic diversification and enhance connectivity between major population and industrial centres.
Al-Malik’s comments came as he outlined Saudi Arabia Railways’ broader rail strategy and recent operational developments across Saudi Arabia. He said freight train operations had been relocated away from Hofuf last year to improve residents’ quality of life, describing the move as part of efforts to balance infrastructure expansion with community considerations.
Addressing questions about station locations in the north of the Kingdom, Al-Malik explained that Al-Jouf station is located some distance from Sakaka city because the railway alignment was originally designed to serve mining activities. Passenger services were added later as the network evolved beyond its initial industrial focus.
On seasonal and religious transport, Al-Malik said Saudi Arabia Railways was tasked by a Council of Ministers decision with operating the Mashaaer Train during the Hajj season. He noted that the service was operated during the most recent Hajj with 100 per cent Saudi manpower. “The Mashaaer Train is among the largest in the world,” he said, adding that each train can carry around 3,000 passengers per trip.
High-speed rail connects capitals, airports
Turning to regional connectivity, Al-Malik described the Riyadh–Doha line as the first high-speed rail service in the region to link two countries. He said the route operates over a 785-kilometre network, serves Hofuf and Dammam, and reaches speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour. The line connects King Salman International Airport in Riyadh with Hamad International Airport in Doha, strengthening integration between air and rail transport.
Al-Malik also highlighted the growing participation of women in the rail sector, noting strong performance by Saudi women operating the Haramain High Speed Railway following the launch of dedicated training programmes.
He added that development work is continuing on the Eastern Railway Network, with new trains expected to enter service by the end of 2027, doubling passenger capacity on the route.
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