Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced that it has sealed a strategic partnership with Italian Arsenale Group, a specialist in administrating luxurious train trips, for launching its 'Dream of the Desert' train service.

 

A first-of-its-kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, the 40-cabin luxury Dream of the Desert train will add extra quality services and options to the kingdom's means of transportation, reported SPA, citing a senior minister.

 

"This is one of the initiatives the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics has taken to improve the quality of life and support leading national strategies," said Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser at the signing ceremony held in Riyadh.

 

The agreement, inked by SAR Chief Executive Dr Bashar Al Malik and Arsenale Group Chairman Paolo Barletta, comes as part of a MoU sealed by the two sides in March last year.

 

Al Jasser underlined the considerable support received by the transport and logistics sector from the wise leadership, which enables it to carry out its projects, services and development initiatives, and praised the co-operation between the transport sector and various stakeholders in the field.

 

Al Malik underscored SAR's commitment to implementing quality initiatives emanating from the company's strategy associated with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

 

He pointed out that the Dream of the Desert train will be a great addition to the services of SAR as it adds an important tourist and entertainment option to the list of services to its customers, and enables visitors and residents to discover more areas of the kingdom while enjoying luxurious transport services, reported SPA.

 

According to SAR, the Dream of the Desert train will be open for bookings at the end of the current year, but the actual operations will kick off in Q4 next year.

 

Barletta said that the initial production stages of the train have recently begun in Italy, in preparation for having it enter into service as per schedule.

 

The first trips will begin from the North Train Station in Riyadh, run through Hail and end at Al Qurayyat train station.