Haramain train to make dry run soon, says transport minister

JEDDAH: Transport Minister Abdullah Al-Muqbil, who is chairman of the board of the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO), revealed that electricity has been connected through overhead lines for the Haramain High-Speed Railway network.
Al-Muqbil said the train has been tested on the line with a gradual speed of 300 km/h. Tests will continue for a few months until the efficiency of the train is verified. The minister expected King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and Madinah to be linked to the railway line at the end of 2015.
Sources quoted by the local media said that the Haramain railway station in Jeddah has some work yet to be completed, but progress in Makkah is ahead of schedule.
The project includes the establishment of railway lines between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah — with a total length of 450 km — with signals and modern communications systems.
The SRO provides express trains with state-of-the-art technology. Train stations will be established in Central Jeddah, King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
Haramain train represents one of the important elements in the executive program to expand the railway network in the Kingdom, and it is considered urgent due to the growing number of Umrah and Haj pilgrims and visitors who come to Makkah and Madinah throughout the year.
Al-Muqbil said earlier that ticket prices have been discussed and will be set to suit everyone according to studies and analyzes offered by specialists. He said there will be two passenger classes, first class and hospitality.