High-speed electric rail project to cut travel time between Doha and Riyadh to two hours

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has said that the high speed electric rail project for the transportation of passengers between Qatar and...

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has said that the high-speed electric rail project for the transportation of passengers between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is a strategic step as part of the two countries’ effort to enhance cooperation and developmental complementarity and advance sustainable development and mutual commitment toward broader horizons of development and prosperity in the region.

The Ministry in a statement said that the high-speed train will span 785 kilometers; linking the two capital cities Doha and Riyadh, while spreading across several regions like Al-Hofuf and Dammam, and linking Hamad International Airport with King Salman International Airport, thus constituting a new artery for rapid and sustainable mobility and improving regional travel experience with a speed of more than 300 kilometers per hour. 

That said, the train will cut the travel time between Doha and Riyadh to two hours, something which supports mobility, enhances business and tourism, advances economic growth, and contributes to improving the quality of life. Over 10 million passengers are expected to ride the train every year, who thus will be able to explore the landmarks of the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, easily and seamlessly. The project would also contribute to providing more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The project, when complete, is expected to generate some 115 billion riyals in revenues for the GDP of both countries, making it one of the most strategic projects that support regional development and cement connectivity and integration among the GCC countries via a modern railway network.

The project is estimated to take six years to complete in accordance with highest international quality and safety standards with best technologies in the realms of railroads and smart engineering to ensure safe and seamless operations, thus achieving environmental sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and advancing the efforts of promoting the switch to more efficient and creative modes of smart and sustainable mobility in the region.