Riyadh: The Transport General Authority (TGA) reported that more than 38 million passengers traveled by train in the Kingdom, while 3.7 million tons of minerals and goods were transported, in addition to 47,000 standard containers during the second quarter of 2026.
According to Saudi Press Agency, trains are one of the key pillars of passenger and freight transport, contributing to smoother movement within and between cities, reducing traffic congestion, and improving quality of life. They also support environmental sustainability and economic development while connecting the Kingdom's cities and governorates.
The authority's indicator highlighted that urban rail passenger transport recorded 36 million passengers, including 29.7 million who used the Riyadh Metro and 1.9 million who traveled on the Al-Mashaaer Metro. The automated people mover at King Abdulaziz International Airport recorded approximately 3.9 million passengers, while the automated people mover at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University recorded 635,000 passengers, reflecting growing demand for this mode of urban transportation.
The Haramain High Speed Railway, which connects Makkah and Madinah via stations in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City, carried 1.6 million passengers, according to TGA.
TGA added that 389,000 passengers traveled on the Eastern Train, connecting Riyadh with the Eastern Region via Hofuf and Buqaiq to Dammam, while the Northern Train, linking Riyadh with Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Qurayyat, carried approximately 246,000 passengers.
On the freight transport front, the authority stated that Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) transported 3.3 million tons of goods on the SAR North Train, while the SAR East Train carried 396,000 tons. Additionally, 47,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were transported, underscoring the role of rail freight in improving supply chain efficiency, strengthening logistical links between ports and economic regions, and supporting economic activity in the Kingdom.
