Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser said that the renovation project of Hofuf railway station is in its final phases.

The refurbishment works include the renovation of entrances, ticket sales offices, passenger waiting lounge and service facilities, he said while launching the newly scheduled train services at Riyadh Railway Station on Monday. SRO Acting President Rumaih Al-Rumaih and other senior officials also attended the function.

Al-Jasser said the capacity of the station has also increased after the launch of the “Comprehensive access program” to serve people with special needs with setting up of a pedestrian bridge to link two parts of the station’s platform and four lifts to facilitate the movement of wheelchair users.

He said the SRO will increase the number of weekly services between its stations in Riyadh, Dammam, Hofuf and Abqaiq to reach 350 trips for passengers, an increase of 78 services over the previous number of 272 trips, up by 31 percent.

“With this increase, the number of available seats jumped to 62,000 seats compared to about 47,000 seats earlier,” he said while indicating that the new scheduled trips will begin from July 12.

During the visit, the minister reviewed the readiness of the station and its facilities and their strict observance of precautionary measures and preventive protocols against coronavirus so as to ensure the safety of citizens and expatriates at the station and onboard trains.

Al-Jasser also reviewed all the measures taken by the SRO to ensure the safety of passengers and workers through the application of all approved procedures, including the physical distancing of passengers at the station and on the trains.