Saudi Railway Company witness 139% growth in passenger numbers

RIYADH: The Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has achieved a significant growth of 139 percent in the number of passengers on its trains during the second quarter of 2018, compared to the same period last year.
Ammar Al-Nahdi, Director General of Marketing and Corporate Communications at SAR, said the increase in the number of passengers taking the northern train, during the second quarter of this year, exceeded 46,000 passengers, compared to the same period in 2017.
Al-Nahdi said this increase is linked to several initiatives launched by the company, such as adding new journeys and increasing trips during weekends and seasonal holidays.
The trains also offer passengers several services, including business and economy class journeys, food booths, in addition to the public transport’s precise timetable.
The trains were punctual more than 96% of the time, Al-Nahdi said, explaining that this is a very high percentage, compared to other transportion methods.
He also noted that social awareness has also contributed to this increase, noting that the society regards the railway system as a more comfortable and safer method of travel.