SAR Issues Tender for the Manufacturing of 10 New Passenger Trains for the Northern Network
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced the issuance of a tender for the manufacturing of 10 new passenger trains for the Northern Network, as part of its efforts to develop the transport system and enhance the efficiency of passenger rail services across the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030.
SAR stated that the tender includes the design, manufacturing, and supply of the new passenger trains, in addition to providing fleet maintenance services, contributing to enhanced operational readiness and long-term asset sustainability. The company noted that the deadline for submitting bids is May 11, 2026, in accordance with the approved regulatory procedures for public tenders.
SAR CEO Dr. Bashar Al-Malik stated that expanding the passenger train fleet represents a strategic objective and a key step within the company’s plans to further develop passenger transport services.
He added that the entry of the new trains into service will help meet the growing demand for passenger journeys by increasing the operational capacity of the Northern Network to nearly three times its current level, raising total seating capacity to more than 2.4 million seats annually, and enhancing SAR’s ability to support the continued growth of intercity passenger transport.
The new trains will operate on the Northern Network, which extends approximately 2,700 kilometers and connects several major cities, including Riyadh, Al-Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Al-Qurayyat, with plans to expand the network in the coming years through the addition of new passenger stations, including Al-Zulfi.
This tender comes as part of SAR’s phased and ongoing approach to modernizing and expanding its passenger train fleet across its various networks. The company is currently also manufacturing 10 new passenger trains to serve the Eastern Line, as part of its comprehensive plans to develop passenger transport services, improve operational efficiency, and enhance service reliability across the national railway network.
