Saudi Arabia to Add 10 New Trains to Expand Northern Rail Network

Saudi Arabia Railways has announced a tender to supply 10 new passenger trains for the Kingdom’s northern rail network, marking a key step in strengthening national transport infrastructure and improving rail services.
The project supports the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and aligns with Vision 2030 goals to enhance connectivity and sustainable mobility. The tender includes the design, manufacturing and supply of the trains, along with long-term fleet maintenance services to ensure operational readiness and asset sustainability.
Bids for the project must be submitted by May 11, 2026, in line with public procurement regulations. According to Saudi Arabia Railways, expanding the passenger fleet is a strategic priority aimed at meeting rising travel demand. The new trains are expected to nearly triple the northern network’s operational capacity, increasing annual seating availability to more than 2.4 million passengers.
The northern rail network connects key cities such as Riyadh, Al-Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Jouf and Al-Qurayyat. Authorities are also planning further expansion, including the addition of new stations such as Al-Zulfi, to improve regional accessibility.
This initiative is part of a broader, phased plan to modernize Saudi Arabia’s passenger rail fleet. In parallel, the railway operator is developing 10 new trains for the eastern line, with the aim of boosting efficiency, reliability and the overall quality of passenger transport across the country.