Saudi Rail Passengers Up 16% in First Half of 2026

Saudi Arabia's rail network carried more than 83 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a rise of 16% compared with the same period a year earlier. The increase amounted to more than 11 million additional journeys across the Kingdom's rail system.

The first-half figure was split between more than 45 million passengers in the first quarter and more than 38 million in the second quarter. Urban rail services accounted for the largest share of demand, handling 78 million of the total journeys.

The Riyadh Metro remained the busiest part of the network, moving 60.7 million passengers between January and June, including 31 million in the first quarter and 29.7 million in the second. Ridership in the second quarter of 2026 was nearly 26% higher than the 23.6 million recorded in the same quarter of 2025.

Overall, the network total in the first half of 2026 was at least 11.5 million higher than during the same period in 2025, underscoring a steady shift toward rail travel across the country.

For residents and commuters in Riyadh, the numbers reflect how quickly the metro has become part of daily life, easing pressure on the roads and offering a reliable alternative for getting around the capital. The continued growth points to rising confidence in public transport as an everyday option for work, study, and leisure trips.

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