Saudi Arabia rail network carries 83 million passengers in H1 2026

Saudi Arabia’s rail network saw significant growth in the first half of 2026, carrying over 83 million passengers, a 16 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, the network transported 38 million passengers and 3.7 million tons of minerals and goods, including 47,000 standard containers.

Urban rail services accounted for the majority of this traffic, with 78 million journeys recorded in the first half of the year. The Riyadh Metro was the primary driver, carrying 60.7 million passengers across the first two quarters. Other notable urban services included the automated people mover at King Abdulaziz International Airport and the service at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

Intercity rail services also maintained high volumes. The Haramain High-Speed Railway, connecting Makkah and Madinah, carried 3.6 million passengers in the first half of the year. Additionally, the Eastern Train and Northern Train served various regions, while freight operations through SAR North and SAR East contributed significantly to the kingdom's logistics and supply chain efficiency.