Middle East railway industry news
Latest railway industry news from the Middle East, including operations, infrastructure, rolling stock and policy.
Bashteel hub in Greater Cairo opens
EGYPT: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated Bashteel main line station in Giza, west of Cairo, on October 12.
King Abdullah Financial District monorail contract signed
SAUDI ARABIA: Contracts have been awarded for the construction of a monorail within Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District mixed-use development. This is intended to reduce the need for private vehicles as part of the vision for a walkable ‘10 min city’.
Sinai passenger train launched
EGYPT: The first passenger service in more than 50 years ran on the 100 km line linking Al Ismailia on the Suez canal with Bir-al-Abd in the north of the Sinai Peninsula on October 7.
Saudi Arabia Railways says its 2035 vision offers ‘excellent investment opportunities’
Saudi Arabia Railways’ updated business strategy running to 2035 includes an 8 000 km expansion of the network, becoming financially self-sustaining and partnering with leading technology suppliers, CEO Dr Bashar bin Khalid Al Malik tells Railway Gazette International.
Oman – UAE railway locomotive and technical support contracts awarded
ASIA: UAE to Oman railway project promoter Hafeet Rail has awarded Progress Rail a contact to supply 27 EMD SD70ACS diesel locomotives. These will be designed to withstand the desert conditions, with advanced sand filtration systems as well as carbon emission reduction technologies.
Saudi Arabia Railways seeks 200 km/h trainsets
SAUDI ARABIA: National operator Saudi Arabia Railways has invited expressions of interest in the supply of 200 km/h trainsets to expand and modernise the passenger fleet on the north–south network.
Cairo operator trials sign language services
Velaro high speed train designed for Egypt’s hot and sandy conditions
Cairo Metro Line 1 to be modernised
Jordan and UAE to co-operate on Aqaba railway project
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem metro plans make progress
Israel Railways DMUs purchased by Romanian company
Baghdad metro project consortium selected
Desert train air-conditioning units delivered
Guardian of the Nile luxury cruise train planned
Baghdad metro consultancy contract awarded
Iran’s Caspian Sea rail link commissioned
Egyptian resignalling project completed
Domestically produced Iranian locomotive unveiled
Haifa to Nazareth light rail contract signed
Velaro EGY high speed train for Egypt on test
Cairo metro line 3 Phase 3C opens
Siemens presents Egyptian Desiro as high speed rail construction progresses
Turkey, Iraq, Qatar and UAE to develop Gulf to Europe rail corridor