Rail networks across Saudi Arabia transported more than 45 million passengers during the first quarter of 2026, up about 29% year-on-year (YoY).
Transport of minerals and cargo also increased from 3.8 million tons in Q1 2025 to 4.3 million tons in Q1 2026, marking growth of more than 13%, according to statistics issued by the Transport General Authority.
Meanwhile, transport of TEUs declined to about 197,000 in Q1 2026, from nearly 239,000 a year earlier.
Rail Networks in Q1 2026
Item
Q1 2025
Q1 2026
Change
Passengers (mln)
35
45
29%
Minerals and cargo (mln tons)
3.8
4.3
13%
TEUs (‘000 containers)
239
197
(18%)
Riyadh Metro accounted for more than 74% of total intra-city passengers, which reached 41.6 million passengers during the quarter, followed by the automated people system at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) with a market share exceeding 24%.
Intra-city Passenger Distribution (mln)
Item
Q1 2025
Q1 2026
Change
Riyadh Metro
25
31
24%
KAIA’s automated people system
6.1
10
64%
Automated people system at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
0.9
0.6
(33%)
Total
32
41.6
30%
For intercity transport, Haramain High Speed Railway represented more than 77% of total intercity passengers, which stood at around 2.6 million passengers during Q1 2026.
Intercity Passenger Distribution (mln)
Item
Q1 2025
Q1 2026
Change
Haramain High Speed Railway
—
2.0
—
East Train Network
—
0.4
—
North Train Network
—
0.2
—
Total
3.4
2.6
(24%)
Total freight and minerals transported via railways reached 3.5 million tons in Q1 2026, down 8% compared to 3.8 million tons in Q1 2025.
Freight and Minerals Transported by Rail (Q1 2026)
Network
Volume (mln tons)
North Train Network
3.0
East Train Network
0.5
Total
3.5
Rail networks across Saudi Arabia transported more than 45 million passengers during the first quarter of 2026, up about 29% year-on-year (YoY).
Transport of minerals and cargo also increased from 3.8 million tons in Q1 2025 to 4.3 million tons in Q1 2026, marking growth of more than 13%, according to statistics issued by the Transport General Authority.
Meanwhile, transport of TEUs declined to about 197,000 in Q1 2026, from nearly 239,000 a year earlier.
Rail Networks in Q1 2026
Item
Q1 2025
Q1 2026
Change
Passengers (mln)
35
45
29%
Minerals and cargo (mln tons)
3.8
4.3
13%
TEUs (‘000 containers)
239
197
(18%)
Riyadh Metro accounted for more than 74% of total intra-city passengers, which reached 41.6 million passengers during the quarter, followed by the automated people system at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) with a market share exceeding 24%.
Intra-city Passenger Distribution (mln)
Item
Q1 2025
Q1 2026
Change
Riyadh Metro
25
31
24%
KAIA’s automated people system
6.1
10
64%
Automated people system at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
0.9
0.6
(33%)
Total
32
41.6
30%
For intercity transport, Haramain High Speed Railway represented more than 77% of total intercity passengers, which stood at around 2.6 million passengers during Q1 2026.
Intercity Passenger Distribution (mln)
Item
Q1 2025
Q1 2026
Change
Haramain High Speed Railway
—
2.0
—
East Train Network
—
0.4
—
North Train Network
—
0.2
—
Total
3.4
2.6
(24%)
Total freight and minerals transported via railways reached 3.5 million tons in Q1 2026, down 8% compared to 3.8 million tons in Q1 2025.
Freight and Minerals Transported by Rail (Q1 2026)
Network
Volume (mln tons)
North Train Network
3.0
East Train Network
0.5
Total
3.5
