Saudi Arabia Expands Train Order with Stadler

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has exercised its option to purchase an additional 10 intercity passenger trains from Stadler, a Swiss rail infrastructure and train manufacturer. This decision follows an earlier contract signed in February 2024, where SAR agreed to buy 10 passenger trains for $690 million. The new contract for the additional trains, along with extended maintenance, is valued at $361 million.

The 175-meter-long trains will have a passenger capacity of 320 and are being co-developed in Switzerland to suit Saudi Arabia's climatic and operational conditions, including extreme heat and sand. These trains are intended to operate on SAR's East-West line, connecting cities such as Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq, and Dammam.

Production of the initial batch of 10 trains began in April 2026, with commercial passenger services expected to commence in the second half of 2029. This expansion aligns with SAR's broader strategy to enhance logistics connectivity between Saudi Arabia's ports, cargo terminals, and neighboring countries.

In a related development, SAR recently ordered 3,400 railcars from Greenbrier Companies for $600 million to bolster freight transportation capacity and infrastructure development.