Alstom has confirmed completion of the design phase for the AlUla turnkey tramway project in Saudi Arabia, advancing the innovative scheme that will connect the region’s core historical districts with a fully integrated, low-carbon transport system. The announcement follows earlier contracting and reflects deep collaboration between Alstom, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and local design partners.
The tramway system will extend over 22.4 km and serve 17 strategically located stations, offering residents and visitors rail access to AlUla’s rich cultural heritage including several UNESCO World Heritage sites such as AlUla Old Town, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, the Nabataean Horizon and Hegra Historical City. The completed design phase confirms the visual and material choices for the tram vehicles and infrastructure, guided by landscape-inspired elements and a palette reflecting AlUla’s natural environment.
Central to the project are 20 state-of-the-art Citadis B™ battery trams, configured to operate in a catenary-free mode using advanced Mitrac B™ battery and ground-based charging technologies. This configuration maintains service flexibility while reducing visual and environmental impact on the historic setting. Alstom’s turnkey scope includes supply of rolling stock, signalling, communication systems, power infrastructure, depot equipment, and a 10-year predictive maintenance programme using the company’s HealthHub™ digital solutions.
Mohamed Khalil, Alstom’s Managing Director for the Middle East, emphasised that the collaborative design process was essential to aligning technical performance with the project’s cultural and aesthetic goals, producing a solution that integrates seamlessly into AlUla’s iconic landscape.
The AlUla tramway represents a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s rail and urban transport strategy under Vision 2030, demonstrating how modern mobility systems can complement and enhance access to heritage-rich destinations while maintaining sustainability and operational efficiency.
