The Saudi Railways Company (SAR) announced that the passenger station in Al-Jouf will enter service and trains will operate to and from it, starting from Wednesday, Safar 29, 1440 AH, corresponding to November 7, 2018.
The CEO of SAR, Dr. Bashar bin Khaled Al-Malik, stated that Al-Jouf station’s entry into actual operation came after the company’s board of directors approved the launch of night train service to Al-Jouf station, indicating that the Minister of Transport, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Nabil bin Muhammad Al-Amoudi, had inspected The night train to ensure the readiness and completion of the operational plan for Al-Jouf station.
He stressed that the operation of the passenger station in Al-Jouf represents a new stage in the passenger transport service, adding to the four passenger stations in the North network, and provides a new option for travel, which was not previously available to the residents and visitors of Al-Jouf region, indicating that Al-Jouf station will contribute to the economic and social development of the region in general. And that the existence of a modern and sustainable rail transportation network that adheres to the highest international safety standards will open the way for investment opportunities in the region, such as tourism activities and freight services by trains, which constitutes an important economic engine.
Dr. Al-Malik pointed out that the cities through which the North Train network passes are considered promising cities for economic investment in general, which provides opportunities for investors, as well as for young people in these cities, to find investments in various fields, in a way that enhances the national non-oil economy. Continue the path of balanced development that our wise leadership seeks.
The CEO of “Sar” expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Prince of Al-Jouf region, Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, for his unlimited support and overcoming all obstacles, which had an impact in facilitating the company’s mission to operate the passenger transport service at Al-Jouf station, noting the great role played by the Minister of Transport. Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAR, Dr. Nabil Al-Amoudi, and his continuous follow-up of the stages of preparation and preparation for the launch of the service.
For his part, Director General of Corporate Communications and Marketing Ammar Al-Nahdi revealed that the night trains contain carriages designated for sleeping compartments, trailers for charging cars, and places for people with special needs, in addition to 24 sleeping compartments that can accommodate 96 passengers, adding that the capacity of the night train reaches 377 passengers. It is divided into 43 passengers in the business class and 238 in the economy class, in addition to the availability of Internet service, as well as screens displaying flight information in all passenger cars in both the economy and business classes, in addition to the restaurant cart and places designated for prayer.
Al-Nahdi confirmed that the Al-Jouf passenger station will join the stations that are currently operating within the North Train project, adding that the company will open the way for those wishing to travel to and from Al-Jouf station by booking their tickets, through the company's website, the "Sar" application or the call center, and they can also This is done by visiting the nearest stations to them.
It is noteworthy that the SAR company launched the first phase of the passenger train service on February 26, 2017, between the stations of Riyadh, Al Majma’ah, Al Qassim, and then followed it by operating the Hail station on November 26, 2017, and seeks to raise its operational efficiency and complete the passenger line project by launching a new station. Qurayyat at the end of the year 2019.
Okaz (Sakaka)