Saudi Rail Network Hits 45 Million Passengers in Massive Q1 2026 Surge

The Saudi rail network carried more than 45 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Transport General Authority. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The figures separate urban rail use from intercity passenger services and freight movement. According to the Saudi Press Agency, TGA said urban rail services accounted for 42 million passengers during the period. The Riyadh Metro carried 31 million.

Also, automated transport systems contributed to the total. The system at King Abdulaziz Airport was used by around 10 million passengers. The automated transport system at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University carried 621,000 passengers.

According to the authority, the figures show rising demand for rail-based mobility in the Kingdom. TGA said rail services are helping ease pressure on city roads. They are also helping improve traffic movement, support quality of life, and contribute to environmental sustainability and economic development.

Saudi rail network passenger totals

On intercity routes, the Haramain High-Speed Railway transported two million passengers in the quarter. The line connects Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Railway network carried more than 349,000 passengers. It links Riyadh with the Eastern Province, including Dammam and the port. The route passes through Abqaiq, Al-Ahsa, and Haradh, as well as Al Kharj.

The Northern Railway network recorded about 218,000 passengers. This route runs from Riyadh toward the northwest. It reaches Al-Haditha near the Jordanian border and passes through Al-Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Qurayyat.

In addition, TGA said the intercity figures reflect the role of rail in strengthening geographic connectivity through a safe and reliable travel option. The authority also said intercity rail contributes to lower environmental emissions, better transport efficiency, and improved quality of life.

Rail freight transport and logistics

Separately, more than 4 million tonnes of minerals and cargo were moved by rail during the quarter. The Northern Railway network accounted for 3 million tonnes of that volume.

The Eastern Railway network transported more than 448,000 tonnes of freight and 197,000 standard containers. TGA said these figures highlight the role of rail freight in improving supply chain efficiency. They also highlight its role in strengthening logistics links between ports and economic zones.

Q1 2025 comparison

For comparison, Saudi Arabia’s rail network carried more than 35 million passengers in the first three months of 2025, according to earlier TGA data. At that time, the authority said intercity rail services had recorded significant growth. More than 3.4 million passengers travelled between cities in the first quarter.

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