Saudi Railway inks 5-year Makkah O&M service agreement
RIYADH, March 23, 2021
Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has reached an agreement with The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites to support the service delivery, maintenance and operations at the holy sites’ train, reported SPA.
The five-year agreement, being implemented in co-ordination with the Makkah Region Development Authority and the Ministry of Finance, will also see SAR manage the train’s assets and facilities, including stations, equipment and operating systems, it stated.
Under this deal, the rail company will handle the delivery of services and maintenance works in addition to operating the holy sites train and carrying out the crowd and pilgrimage control and security, the report added.
Last week, SAR authorities had announced that the Haramain High Speed Railway will resume operations starting from March 31.
The 450-km line has five stations - two terminus stations in Makkah and Madinah, and two central stations in Jeddah and Rabigh, and a fifth station at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
These rail lines had been suspended in March last year to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, said the SPA report.
According to SAR officials, trips will now operate from and to the stations of Makkah, Madinah, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.
However, all the stations and train cars will follow Covid safety measures for a safe and smooth travel, it added.
