king salman inaugurates haramain rail

King Salman Inaugurates Haramain High-Speed Railway

Previously, we shared that a high-speed train would roll out in Saudi Arabia this year. Well, that time has arrived! The much-awaited Haramain Express Train was inaugurated on Tuesday by none other than King Salman, according to the Saudi Gazette.

“On Allah we rely and we pray to Allah to grant us success. Thanks to Allah our country is witnessing growth and prosperity in all fields,” the King said during the launching ceremony in Jeddah. “We thank Allah for the bounties with which the Kingdom has been blessed.”

High-Speed Train Rolls Out in Saudi Arabia

The Haramain Express is the biggest electric speed train project in the region. On Tuesday, Saudi King Salman boarded the train at Jeddah and travelled to Madinah.

The high-speed railway aims to ease road traffic congestion as well as serve pilgrims who are traveling to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and to the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Interestingly, the Haramain Express:

  • Aims to transport around 60 million passengers per year
  • Is also known as the “Makkah-Madinah High-Speed Railway” or “Western Railway”
  • Uses electric propulsion technology to travel in speeds up to 360 kilometres per hour
  • Can travel between Makkah and Madinah in just 90 minutes (compared to 6 hours by bus)!
  • Covers a 450-kilometre distance, joining five stations: Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Rabigh, and Madinah

In Line with Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030”
The Minister of Transport, Dr. Nabil Al-Amoudi, stated that the Haramain Express Train is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Among its objectives is to increase the number of pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques — and the new express train expands on this vision.

Indeed, the Haramain Express Train is a great addition to the country’s public transport system. Meanwhile, did you know that there’s going to be a railway between Saudi Arabia and the UAE? That’s right! This amazing railway project is set to be completed by the year 2021!