Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani witnessed the signing of an agreement to implement a high-speed electric passenger rail project connecting Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser and Qatar’s Minister of Transport Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani during the meetings of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.
The high-speed rail link is considered a strategic step in strengthening cooperation and development integration between the two countries, supporting sustainable development and advancing shared aspirations for broader regional prosperity.
The 785-kilometer railway will connect Riyadh and Doha through major stops in Al-Hofuf and Dammam, and will also link King Salman International Airport and Hamad International Airport.
Designed to operate at speeds exceeding 300 km/h, the train will reduce travel time between the two capitals to approximately two hours, enhancing mobility, facilitating trade and tourism, and supporting economic growth and quality of life.
The rail line is expected to serve more than 10 million passengers annually, enabling travelers to explore destinations in both countries with ease.
The project will also create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Upon completion, the railway is projected to contribute around SR115 billion to the combined GDP of both nations, positioning it as one of the region’s most significant strategic infrastructure projects.
It will strengthen connectivity across the Gulf Cooperation Council through an advanced railway network.
The project is scheduled for completion within six years, built to the highest global standards of quality and safety and incorporating advanced railway technologies and smart engineering.
The system will ensure safe and efficient operations, promote environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and support the region’s shift toward innovative and sustainable mobility solutions.
