10 New World-Class Intercity Trains Will Be Introduced to Saudi

Swiss manufacturer Stadler has secured a contract to deliver 10 state-of-the-art intercity passenger trains to Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR).

With an estimated value of around EUR 642 million, the agreement encompasses the supply of 10 years' maintenance for the newly acquired rolling stock. Additionally, it provides SAR with the flexibility to potentially order an extra 10 units in the coming years.

“It is an honour to be part of Saudi Arabia's development towards sustainable and ecological passenger transportation,” Peter Spuhler, Executive Chairman of Stadler, tells SceneNowSaudi. “At the same time this is a strategic milestone for Stadler to enter into the railway market in the GCC region, a market that is expected to be outperforming other railway markets in terms of travel experience and passenger growth.”

The upcoming trains are engineered to adhere to the latest European and International Standards, and are tailored to suit the unique climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. Spanning approximately 175 metres in length, the trains will operate as self-propelled units featuring two autonomous diesel-electric power heads.

With a capacity of approximately 320 passengers per train, these new railway additions will have a transformative impact on the East Train service between Riyadh and Dammam. Upon commencement of operations, they are expected to effectively double the service's capacity, allowing them to accommodate over 3.8 million passengers.