Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) has published a public tender for the design, manufacture, delivery and long-term maintenance of ten new passenger trains for its Northern Network, with bids due by mid-May 2026. The procurement forms part of SAR’s broader fleet expansion strategy to support rising intercity travel demand across key corridors linking Riyadh, Al-Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf and Al-Qurayyat.
The tender specification includes integrated maintenance services to ensure sustained fleet availability and lifecycle support. The additional trainsets will significantly increase passenger capacity on the roughly 2,700 km Northern Network, aligning with SAR’s long-term service growth objectives.
Meanwhile, SAR has already secured rolling stock deliveries from Swiss manufacturer Stadler Rail under a separate framework agreement for next-generation intercity passenger trains. In February 2024 SAR signed contracts with Stadler for the supply and maintenance of ten trainsets for its Eastern network, with an option for a further ten units. The trains, each approximately 175 m long with around 320 seats and diesel-electric traction tailored for harsh desert conditions, are scheduled for delivery from 2028 onwards.
Industry observers note that this initial Stadler order likely represents only the beginning of SAR’s ongoing fleet modernisation, as continued network growth and rising passenger demand signal further rolling stock needs beyond the current contracts. SAR’s active tendering and existing manufacturer partnerships reflect a broad strategic push to expand passenger services and enhance capacity across its national rail system.
Detailed documentation for the Northern Network tender is available through SAR’s e-tendering platform, with proponents encouraged to review eligibility and technical criteria in accordance with the operator’s procurement procedures.