RIYADH — The Saudi Railway Company (SAR) Tuesday announced its top operational results related to passenger and cargo trains for the first half of 2022.

The total number of passengers that were transported during the first half of 2022 exceeded 2.3 million through the North, East and Haramain High Speed Rail networks, marking an increase rate of 121% compared with the corresponding period of 2021.

More than 6.75 million tons of goods were transported, up by 24%, contributing to reducing the number of trucks on roads by more than 871,000 vehicles, according to the operational performance report issued by SAR.

SAR CEO Dr. Bashar Al-Malik said that the operations for the first half of 2022 reflect the increasing growth volume witnessed by the passenger and freight trains for their being an alternative with high levels of quality and credibility to transport passengers and merchandise among Saudi cities in a way that contributes to enhancing social and economic development tracks that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing.

He noted that this growth in the transport rate of passengers and goods was accompanied by an increase in the satisfaction rate by clients for passenger trains, which stood at 92% and for freight trains that stood at 96%.

Al-Malik stressed that SAR will continue to develop its services in a way that realizes targets of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 according to the highest standards thanks to the unlimited support of the wise leadership.

SAR trains are considered environment friendly for their effective operational role in reducing CO2 emissions. — SPA