Riyadh - Mubasher: The Haramain High Speed Railway, which links the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, is a key component of the development plan and expansion program of the Saudi railway network. It meets the growing demand to serve the increasing numbers of domestic and international pilgrims, and alleviates congestion on the roads between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.

The Haramain High Speed Rail is one of the 10 fastest electric trains and the sixth fastest train in the world, with a speed of 300 km/h using advanced signaling and communication systems. It is a high-speed electric train that connects Makkah Al-Mukarramah with Madinah Al-Munawwarah via a double railway line. It was inaugurated under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in September 2018. It is one of the largest train projects in the Middle East that the Kingdom has established as part of its plans to provide a safe means of transportation for pilgrims, Umrah performers and travelers between the two holy cities and Jeddah, according to the Middle East News Agency.

SAR, in coordination with the operating company, has prepared a plan to keep pace with the expected high demand for Haramain High Speed Rail trips during the Ramadan season. More than 3,400 train trips will be operated, contributing to providing a seating capacity of more than 1.6 million seats. The Haramain High Speed Rail is a 453 km-long high-speed railway line linking the cities of Medina and Mecca, through a 449 km-long line and a 3.75 km-long branch connection to King Abdulaziz International Airport. The train is capable of covering the distance of 449 km between Mecca and Medina in approximately two hours and twenty minutes.

The Haramain High Speed Rail includes five stations, three of which are terminal stations: Makkah Station located in the Russeifa district, Madinah Station, and King Abdulaziz Airport Station in Jeddah, and two intermediate stations: Jeddah Main Station located in the Sulaymaniyah district and King Abdullah Economic City Station.

The Haramain High Speed Railway Station at King Abdulaziz Airport is the largest airport-linked railway station in the world, with an area exceeding 105,000 square metres and extending over several floors. It is connected to six train platforms, which contributes to the ease of movement to and from the station, whether towards Makkah or Madinah.

This station contributes to reducing the congestion on the roads leading to King Abdulaziz Airport by transporting arriving passengers directly to the rest of the stations without the need for them to leave the airport and use other means of transportation.

The Haramain High Speed Rail operates 35 electric trains, each with a capacity of 417 passengers, through 13 cars divided into 5 business class cabins, in addition to a cafeteria and 8 economy class cabins. Thus, the number of business class seats is 113, while the number of economy class seats is 304.

Each train includes a cafeteria, entertainment screens, and support services for people with special needs. Special hospitality services are also provided for business class, in addition to food carts for economy class.

The Haramain train stations provide multiple services, including a police station, a dedicated and equipped fire station, a health center for emergency services, a mosque, shops, restaurants and cafes, a pharmacy, a business class lounge, parking lots, car rental service, shipping service, ticket reservations, hotel reservations, telecommunications companies, banking and exchange services, a supermarket, public transportation services (taxis and shuttle buses to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and Medina), support services for transporting luggage, and waiting areas.