Train ridership in Saudi Arabia reaches 43M in 2024

Saudi Arabia’s rail sector recorded a remarkable performance in 2024, transporting nearly 42.7 million passengers — an increase of 41% compared with 2023, according to the Transport General Authority (TGA).

Intra-city trips accounted for the majority of passengers, with 31.1 million, or around 73% of the total, covering a distance of 2.6 million kilometers.

Meanwhile, intercity trips carried 11.6 million passengers through 35,600 journeys, spanning 12.5 million kilometers in total.

The fourth quarter of 2024 recorded the highest level of passenger traffic, representing nearly 37% of the annual total.

The intercity rail network included 15 passenger stations, 93 locomotives, and 673 passenger cars, up 20.4% from 2023, providing a total of 18,360 seats.

Saudi Railways carried out 6,807 freight trips in 2024, covering 6.3 million kilometers along its two main lines — the North Train and the East Train.

Total freight movement on both lines reached 16.43 million ton-kilometers, down 10% from 2023.

There were 12 freight stations, with 175 locomotives, up 11% year-on-year (YoY), and 3,384 freight cars.

Total freight volume reached 15.6 million tons, up 9% YoY, with the North Train handling 91% (about 14.2 million tons).

Bauxite topped the list of transported goods with 33.7%, followed by phosphate at 30.7%.

Additionally, 887,900 containers were transported via the East Train, up 27% from 2023.