Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Within the first half of 2024, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) reported notable operational achievements that significantly profit vacationers and the nation’s logistics sector. With a rise in passenger numbers, enhanced security measures, and important environmental advantages, SAR continues to align its providers with the Kingdom’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 and the Nationwide Technique for Transport and Logistics Providers.
SAR skilled a exceptional 17% enhance in passenger numbers through the first half of 2024, with over 5.1 million passengers using its trains. This progress is complemented by a 5% rise within the variety of journeys throughout its community, totaling 17,200 journeys. This contains the Japanese Prepare, Northern Prepare, and the Haramain Excessive-Pace Prepare networks. Such a rise not solely highlights the reliability and effectivity of SAR providers but additionally enhances the journey expertise for passengers.
The quantity of minerals and items transported by SAR’s community exceeded 13.26 million tons, reflecting a 9% enhance in comparison with the identical interval in 2023. This achievement underscores SAR’s position in supporting the Kingdom’s industrial and financial actions. By decreasing over a million automobile journeys on the highways, SAR considerably enhances highway security, preserves infrastructure, and lowers carbon emissions, contributing to nationwide environmental targets.
CEO Dr. Bashar bin Khalid Al Malik attributed the profitable Hajj operations to the unwavering help of Saudi management and SAR’s steady efforts to enhance passenger providers. These efforts align with the targets of the Nationwide Technique for Transport and Logistics Providers and Imaginative and prescient 2030, guaranteeing a easy and environment friendly journey expertise for pilgrims.
Within the first six months of 2024, SAR signed a number of strategic agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international corporations to reinforce railway transportation providers. A key spotlight is the settlement to launch the primary luxurious prepare service within the Center East and North Africa, scheduled for This fall 2025. This service is predicted to supply a novel and opulent journey expertise, attracting vacationers and luxurious vacationers to the area.
To additional enhance the journey expertise, SAR signed a contract to buy 10 fashionable trains for the Japanese Railway Community. This initiative goals to reinforce consolation, effectivity, and repair high quality, thereby reaching nationwide targets within the area. Moreover, SAR sealed two MoUs with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Expertise Zones (Modon). These agreements will hyperlink the logistics zone within the second industrial metropolis in Dammam to the railway community, facilitating entry to numerous ports and enabling the commercial sector to connect with native, regional, and international markets.
Advantages to Vacationers:
Elevated Comfort: With extra journeys and fashionable trains, passengers can anticipate a extra comfy and dependable journey expertise.
Enhanced Security: Decreased automobile journeys on highways contribute to improved highway security.
Environmental Influence: Decrease carbon emissions align with nationwide environmental targets.
Luxurious Journey: The upcoming luxurious prepare service provides a brand new, opulent journey possibility for discerning vacationers.
Industrial Connectivity: Improved logistics facilitate higher entry to industrial and industrial hubs.
SAR’s operational achievements within the first half of 2024 underscore its dedication to enhancing journey experiences and supporting the Kingdom’s strategic targets. With ongoing modernization efforts and strategic partnerships, SAR continues to play a pivotal position in reworking Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics panorama, providing important advantages to vacationers and the broader economic system.