MAKKAH: The Haramain high speed train will start operating gradually in six months, with the first trip departing from Makkah to Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic city in Rabigh, a 450-km-long trip.
The Haramain train will be full operational at the end of 2017.
Of the whole project, only 10 km are currently functional, including 7 km in Makkah and 3 km in Al-Harazat district, in Jeddah.
Haramain High Speed Rail Project Director Bassam bin Ahmed Ghulman said two more months are left until the completion of the expansion of Al-Shafaa Street, in central Makkah, which has two axes, one from the direction of the Third Ring Road, the other in Al-Rusaifah district.
During a meeting organized by the sub-council of the Saudi Umran Society in Makkah at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industries on Tuesday, Ghulman said that the project used more than 1.9 million meters of telecommunication cables, about 4 million tons of gravel and more than 1,500 closed-circuit television (CCTV) for control and command.
He also said that "Jeddah station is the largest as a facility, but Al-Rusaifah station in Makkah is the most expensive in terms of contracting", adding that there is no final decision with regard to fares, which are under study.
Ghulman said Haramain High Speed Rail Project is the largest transportation project in the Middle East and one of the largest public transportation projects in the world, with an estimated 120-year lifespan for all expandable facilities.
It is estimated to cost about SR62 billion and involved erecting 15,000 power pylons and demolition of some high mountains.
The project also has more than 39 centers for electricity generators and about 147 Wi-Fi points of transmission and reception to serve passengers for free at bus and car stops at the stations.
The cost of the six central plants to generate power reached about SR2 billion.
Ghulman added that the Haramain trains are designed to travel at speeds of 350 km/h, but will usually run at 300 km/h.
"The train will transport 19,600 passengers per hour between Makkah and Jeddah at full capacity, and 3,800 passengers between Makkah and Madinah per hour,” said Ghulman.
Haramain train to be fully operational by end 2017
Haramain train to be fully operational by end 2017
Economic growth and resilience at heart of 2nd AlUla Emerging Market Economies Conference
- Event on Feb. 8 and 9 will bring together ministers, governors of central banks, policymakers, economic experts and international financial institutions
- Emerging-market economies a ‘pivotal element’ in global economic system due to effect they have on growth and stability, says Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan
RIYADH: The second annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, which Saudi Arabia will host next week, offers a platform to exchange views on global developments and discuss policies and reforms that support inclusive growth and strengthen economic resilience, the Kingdom’s finance minister said.
The event on Feb. 8 and 9 will bring together finance ministers, governors of central banks and policymakers, alongside economic experts and representatives of international financial institutions.
Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance in partnership with the International Monetary Fund, it takes place as emerging-market economies face mounting challenges amid rapid global economic change.
Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the decision to host the conference reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to efforts that support global financial and economic stability, and highlights the growing influence of emerging economies on worldwide growth.
Emerging-market economies represent a “pivotal element” in the global economic system due to the direct impact they have on economic growth and stability, he added.
“The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies provides a unique platform for exchanging views on global economic developments, and discussing policies and reforms that will support inclusive growth and enhance economic resilience, in light of broader international cooperation that contributes to confronting common challenges,” Al-Jadaan said.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said the event would help emerging economies deal with growing uncertainty driven by technological change, demographic shifts and geopolitical tensions.
“The AlUla conference provides a vital platform for emerging economies to discuss how they can navigate the risks and embrace the opportunities ahead,” she said.
“In these times of sweeping transformations in the global economy, policymakers face a more challenging and uncertain environment. Countries should work together to strengthen resilience through sound macroeconomic and financial policies.”
