RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s railway network recorded a remarkable increase in passenger numbers in 2025, carrying approximately 156.4 million passengers, compared with 42.7 million in 2024, marking a growth of 266.5%.
According to the General Authority for Statistics’ Railway Transport Statistics 2025, the sharp rise primarily reflected increased demand for urban rail services across the Kingdom. The number of passengers using urban rail services reached 145.4 million in 2025, compared with 31.1 million in the previous year, representing an increase of 368%.
However, intercity railway passenger numbers declined by 5.6%, falling to 10.9 million from 11.6 million in 2024.
Monthly figures showed that December recorded the highest passenger traffic, with approximately 15.9 million journeys. April registered the lowest monthly figure, at 10.8 million passengers.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s railway freight sector also experienced growth. Railways transported 16.1 million tonnes of goods during 2025, up from 15.6 million tonnes a year earlier.
The Northern Railway accounted for 89.7% of total freight volumes, transporting approximately 14.4 million tonnes, including phosphate, bauxite, phosphoric acid and molten sulphur.
Furthermore, the Haramain High-Speed Railway achieved the highest punctuality rate among major intercity services, reaching 97.8%.
The figures highlight Saudi Arabia’s expanding reliance on rail transport and its efforts to improve passenger mobility, freight efficiency and sustainable transportation under Vision 2030.
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