More than 38m passengers travelled by train across Saudi Arabia during the second quarter of 2026, with Riyadh Metro alone carrying 29.7m passengers, according to new figures from the Transport General Authority (TGA).
The Kingdom’s railways also transported 3.7m tons of minerals and goods and 47,000 standard containers during the three-month period, highlighting the growing role of rail in passenger mobility and freight logistics.
Urban rail accounted for the overwhelming majority of passenger journeys during Q2, recording 36m passengers.
Riyadh Metro was the largest contributor, carrying 29.7m passengers during the quarter.
The Al-Mashaaer Metro carried 1.9m passengers.
Riyadh Metro boosts Saudi train traffic
Automated people movers also accounted for millions of journeys.
The automated people mover at King Abdulaziz International Airport recorded approximately 3.9m passengers, while the system at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University carried 635,000. The figures reflect the scale of urban rail and automated transport use across the Kingdom.
The network’s 29.7m passenger journeys made it by far the largest individual contributor to Saudi Arabia’s urban rail passenger figures contained in the authority’s indicator.
Rail forms a key part of the Kingdom’s passenger and freight transport system, supporting movement within and between cities.
TGA highlighted its role in reducing traffic congestion, improving quality of life, supporting environmental sustainability and economic development, and connecting Saudi cities and governorates.
Saudi Arabia Q2 rail passenger numbers
According to the figures supplied by the Transport General Authority:
- Total rail passengers: More than 38m
- Urban rail: 36m
- Riyadh Metro: 29.7m
- King Abdulaziz International Airport automated people mover: Approximately 3.9m
- Al-Mashaaer Metro: 1.9m
- Haramain High Speed Railway: 1.6m
- Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University automated people mover: 635,000
- Eastern Train: 389,000
- Northern Train: Approximately 246,000
- Saudi railways transport 3.7 million tons of freight
Saudi Arabia’s rail network also handled significant freight volumes during the second quarter.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) transported 3.3 million tons of goods on the SAR North Train. More
