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Saudi Arabia and Qatar Sign Deal for 785-Kilometer High-Speed Rail Linking Riyadh and Doha

Attention now shifts to financing, procurement, environmental planning not detailed at signing.

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Saudi passengers walk in the platform at Mecca's train station on October 11, 2018 as the new high-speed railway line linking Mecca and Medina opens. - The Haramain High Speed Rail system will transport Muslim pilgrims, as well as regular travellers, 450 kilometres (280 miles) between the two cities via the Red Sea port of Jeddah in two hours. Thirty-five passenger trains capable of travelling at speeds of 300 kilometres per hour will slash the travel time from several hours to 120 minutes, transport officials said. The rail project, dogged by several delays, was built at a cost of more than $16 billion, according to Saudi media. (Photo by BANDAR ALDANDANI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BANDAR ALDANDANI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The electric passenger line is designed for speeds above 300 km/h, targeting a roughly two-hour trip between the capitals.
  • The route will pass through Hofuf and Dammam and connect King Salman International Airport in Riyadh with Hamad International Airport in Doha.
  • Officials project more than 10 million passengers a year, around 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, and an estimated SAR115 billion ($30.7 billion) GDP impact.
  • The agreement was signed by Saudi Transport Minister Saleh Al Jasser and Qatar’s Transport Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, witnessed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
  • Completion is targeted within six years, with total cost, contractors, financing and environmental safeguards yet to be disclosed, while a joint statement also emphasized deeper defense cooperation and energy market reliability.