Haramain high-speed train preparation for Ramadan

This picture taken on December 12, 2019 shows a view of the Haramain High Speed train. (AFP)
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Updated 16 February 2026
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Haramain high-speed train preparation for Ramadan

  • 1.7m passengers expected during holy month
  • 20 new trains bought for full delivery by 2031

RIYADH: The Haramain High-Speed Railway has been prepared to operate more than 3,662 trips for more than 1.7 million passengers this Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Saudi Arabia Railways said it has completed its operational preparations to increase the capacity for travel between Makkah and Madinah.

The SAR noted that the plan for this season includes more than 100 daily trips that would align with prayer times and the movement of Umrah pilgrims.

The company recently announced the purchase of 20 new trains from the Spanish company Talgo to further increase capacity, for delivery between 2028 and 2031.

The SAR stressed that the improvements are in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway operates some of the world’s fastest passenger trains, which travel up to 300 kph.

It connects Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City along a 453-km railway line.

Construction began in 2009 and operations in 2018.


SDAIA president says Saudi Arabia is building an integrated AI ecosystem

Updated 20 February 2026
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SDAIA president says Saudi Arabia is building an integrated AI ecosystem

RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi says that Saudi Arabia is moving steadily to establish artificial intelligence as a trusted national capability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Guided by the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, Al-Ghamdi said the goal is to use AI to help develop government services, enhance competitiveness, build human capacity and improve quality of life through a comprehensive strategy based on three main pillars that unlock the potential of this technology and achieve sustainable developmental impact.

“The first pillar focuses on building human capacity and enhancing readiness to engage with AI technologies,” he said.

The second pillar is building an integrated national AI ecosystem that drives expansion and innovation by developing advanced digital infrastructure that enables various sectors to adopt AI applications efficiently, consistently and with effective governance, Al-Ghamdi said.

The third pillar, he said, is governance that ensures responsible and measurable AI through a national framework aligned with international standards.

This came during Al-Ghamdi’s speech at a high-level ministerial session held on Thursday on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

He is heading the Saudi delegation, and the session saw broad participation from heads of state, decision-makers and technology leaders from around the world.

Al-Ghamdi also had a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening, discussed AI cooperation and expressed his gratitude for hosting the summit and for the hospitality extended to the participants.