Saudi Arabia’s rail network carried more than 40.9 million passengers and moved 3.9 million tons of freight and 46,300 containers during the third quarter of 2026, according to a quarterly performance report released by the Transport General Authority (TGA). The figures, published through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), confirm that demand for rail travel across the Kingdom continues to climb, with passenger volumes rising compared with the same period last year. The report covers every major rail service in the country, from the Riyadh Metro to the Haramain High Speed Railway, and offers one of the clearest snapshots yet of how deeply rail has become embedded in daily life for citizens, residents, and visitors.
The quarterly report arrives at a moment when Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in transport infrastructure as part of its long-term economic transformation. Rail is no longer viewed only as a way to move people between cities; it is a strategic backbone connecting airports, industrial zones, ports, and the two holy cities. For international observers, the numbers matter because they show measurable progress toward the capacity, reliability, and connectivity targets that underpin the Kingdom’s broader modernization agenda. The TGA’s disclosure also reflects a commitment to transparency, giving planners, investors, and the public a regular, data-driven view of how the network is performing.
Context and Background
How did Saudi Arabia move from a largely road-dependent transport model to one where tens of millions of rail journeys are recorded in a single quarter? The answer lies in a sustained, multi-decade program of investment that accelerated sharply after the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016. That strategy identified transport and logistics as a priority sector, with rail positioned as a cleaner, safer, and more efficient alternative to long-distance driving. The establishment of the Transport General Authority as the sector’s regulator gave the Kingdom a single body responsible for oversight, licensing, and performance reporting, which is why quarterly disclosures such as this one are now routine.
The network itself has grown in layers. Intra-city systems such as the Riyadh Metro serve commuters inside the capital, while intercity lines link major regions. The Haramain High Speed Railway connects Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City, serving pilgrims and business travelers alike. Saudi Arabia Railways operates the Eastern Network, which links Riyadh, Abqaiq, Hofuf, and Dammam, and the Northern Network, which runs from Riyadh through Al-Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Al-Qurayyat. Each of these services addresses a distinct travel market, and together they form an integrated system that the TGA monitors as a whole.
Freight tells a parallel story. The 3.9 million tons of cargo and 46,300 containers moved in the third quarter underline rail’s role in the national logistics chain, supporting industries that depend on predictable, high-volume transport between industrial hubs and ports. This dual passenger-and-freight capability is central to the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global logistics hub connecting three continents.
Key Details
What do the quarter’s numbers actually reveal about how people are using the network? Intra-city services dominated, carrying 38.3 million passengers. Of that total, the Riyadh Metro accounted for 30.4 million journeys, a figure that underscores how quickly the capital’s metro has become part of everyday life since its phased opening. The King Abdulaziz International Airport Automated Train carried seven million passengers, reflecting the high volume of travelers moving through one of the Kingdom’s busiest aviation gateways. The Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University line, serving one of the world’s largest women’s universities, carried about 911,200 passengers, a reminder that rail investment also supports education and women’s participation in public life.
Intercity services carried more than 2.5 million passengers during the quarter. The Haramain High Speed Railway led this category with over 1.9 million passengers, a testament to its role in facilitating Umrah and Hajj travel as well as tourism between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah. Saudi Arabia Railways’ Eastern Network served about 393,900 passengers, connecting the capital with the Eastern Province’s industrial and commercial centers. The Northern Network carried 258,600 passengers, linking Riyadh with Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Al-Qurayyat, regions that are increasingly connected to national growth through improved transport links.
The TGA noted that passenger numbers rose compared with the same period last year, attributing the increase to growing demand for rail travel. That trend is consistent with a broader shift in traveler behavior, as residents and visitors increasingly choose rail for its comfort, punctuality, and cost-effectiveness. The report did not disclose a single figure combining all categories beyond the 40.9 million total, but the breakdown allows analysts to see which services are growing fastest and where future capacity may be needed.
International and Regional Impact
Why should readers outside Saudi Arabia pay attention to these passenger figures? Because rail connectivity is now a defining feature of the Kingdom’s relationship with the wider region and the world. The Haramain High Speed Railway, for example, is not simply a domestic transport project; it is part of the infrastructure that supports the annual pilgrimage, one of the largest recurring movements of people on earth. By moving millions of pilgrims efficiently between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, the line reduces road congestion, improves safety, and enhances the overall experience for visitors from more than 180 countries.
At the same time, the Eastern Network’s links to Dammam and Abqaiq connect the capital to the Gulf coast, where ports handle goods destined for Asia, Europe, and Africa. Rail freight volumes of 3.9 million tons in a single quarter signal that Saudi Arabia is building the multimodal capacity needed to compete as a logistics gateway. For regional neighbors and international partners, this translates into more reliable supply chains and new commercial opportunities. The TGA’s regular reporting also gives foreign investors a transparent view of sector performance, which supports confidence in Saudi infrastructure projects.
Economic and Strategic Significance
What does it cost to move a passenger by rail compared with road, and why does that matter for the national economy? While the TGA report does not publish cost-per-passenger data, the strategic logic is well established: rail moves large volumes of people and goods with lower energy use per unit and fewer road accidents. For a country of Saudi Arabia’s size, shifting even a modest share of long-distance travel from cars to trains yields significant savings in fuel, road maintenance, and emissions. The third-quarter freight figures, including 46,300 containers, show that businesses are already using rail as a dependable part of their supply chains.
The economic significance extends beyond transport itself. Rail projects create jobs in construction, operations, maintenance, and technology. They stimulate property development around stations, as seen with transit-oriented projects in Riyadh and Jeddah. They also support tourism by making it easier to visit heritage sites, cultural events, and religious destinations. In this sense, the quarterly passenger numbers are an indicator of wider economic activity, reflecting a population that is mobile, employed, and increasingly connected to national opportunities.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does a quarterly rail report connect to Saudi Vision 2030? The strategy’s transport and logistics pillar aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa, and rail is one of its primary instruments. The National Transport and Logistics Strategy, overseen by the Transport General Authority and the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, sets targets for increasing rail’s share of passenger and freight movement, improving safety, and expanding network coverage. The third-quarter results show tangible progress: more passengers, more freight, and more containers moving through a system that is still being expanded.
Looking ahead, the Kingdom’s long-term vision includes new lines, expanded capacity on existing routes, and deeper integration between rail, airports, and ports. The data released by the TGA provides a baseline against which future quarters will be measured. For international readers, the message is clear: Saudi Arabia is building a transport network that serves its people, supports its economy, and strengthens its role as a connector between continents. The nearly 41 million passengers carried in the third quarter of 2026 are not just a statistic; they are evidence of a vision taking shape on the ground, quarter by quarter.
20 Questions
Q1. How many passengers did Saudi Arabia’s railways carry in the third quarter of 2026?
A1. The Transport General Authority reported that the Kingdom’s railways carried more than 40.9 million passengers during the third quarter of 2026, reflecting continued growth in demand for rail travel across the country.
Q2. How much freight did the rail network transport in the same quarter?
A2. The network transported 3.9 million tons of freight and 46,300 containers, demonstrating rail’s important role in supporting the national logistics sector and industrial supply chains.
Q3. Which authority released the quarterly rail performance report?
A3. The report was released by the Transport General Authority, the Saudi government body responsible for regulating and overseeing the Kingdom’s transport sector, and was published through the Saudi Press Agency.
Q4. How many passengers used intra-city rail services?
A4. Intra-city services carried 38.3 million passengers, the largest share of total ridership, reflecting the growing popularity of urban rail systems in Saudi cities.
Q5. How many passengers traveled on the Riyadh Metro?
A5. The Riyadh Metro carried 30.4 million passengers during the quarter, making it the single busiest rail service in the Kingdom and a key part of daily commuting in the capital.
Q6. What was the ridership on the King Abdulaziz International Airport Automated Train?
A6. The automated train at King Abdulaziz International Airport carried seven million passengers, serving travelers moving through one of Saudi Arabia’s busiest aviation hubs.
Q7. How many passengers used the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University line?
A7. The line serving Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University carried about 911,200 passengers, supporting students, staff, and visitors at one of the world’s largest women’s universities.
Q8. How many passengers used intercity rail services?
A8. Intercity services carried more than 2.5 million passengers during the third quarter, connecting major cities and regions across the Kingdom.
Q9. How many passengers traveled on the Haramain High Speed Railway?
A9. The Haramain High Speed Railway carried over 1.9 million passengers, linking Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City.
Q10. What cities does the Eastern Network connect?
A10. The Eastern Network, operated by Saudi Arabia Railways, connects Riyadh, Abqaiq, Hofuf, and Dammam, serving about 393,900 passengers during the quarter.
Q11. What areas does the Northern Network serve?
A11. The Northern Network links Riyadh, Al-Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Al-Qurayyat, and carried 258,600 passengers during the third quarter of 2026.
Q12. Did passenger numbers increase compared with the same period last year?
A12. Yes. The Transport General Authority stated that passenger numbers rose compared with the same period last year, reflecting growing demand for rail travel in the Kingdom.
Q13. Why is rail travel becoming more popular in Saudi Arabia?
A13. Growing demand reflects improvements in service quality, expanded network coverage, and a shift toward comfortable, punctual, and cost-effective transport options for residents and visitors.
Q14. How does rail support the annual pilgrimage?
A14. The Haramain High Speed Railway moves large numbers of pilgrims efficiently between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, reducing road congestion and improving safety and comfort during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Q15. What role does rail freight play in the Saudi economy?
A15. Rail freight supports industry by moving bulk goods and containers reliably between industrial hubs and ports, strengthening supply chains and supporting the Kingdom’s logistics ambitions.
Q16. How does the Transport General Authority contribute to sector development?
A16. The authority regulates, monitors, and reports on transport performance, providing transparency and data that help guide investment and improve services across the Kingdom.
Q17. How does rail expansion align with Saudi Vision 2030?
A17. Vision 2030 aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub, and rail expansion supports that goal by connecting cities, ports, and airports while improving efficiency and sustainability.
Q18. What benefits does rail offer compared with road transport?
A18. Rail moves large volumes of passengers and goods with lower energy use per unit, fewer accidents, and reduced congestion, supporting safer and more sustainable mobility.
Q19. Are there plans to expand the rail network further?
A19. Saudi Arabia continues to invest in transport infrastructure under its national strategies, with ongoing projects designed to expand capacity, improve connectivity, and serve growing demand.
Q20. What do these figures mean for international observers?
A20. The figures show measurable progress in Saudi Arabia’s transport transformation, offering investors, partners, and travelers confidence in the Kingdom’s infrastructure and its long-term development plans.
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