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HAIL - Emir of Hail Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saad on Wednesday inaugurated the railway station in Hail city. Minister of Transportation and President of the Executive Board of the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) Nabil Al-Amoudi was present at the ceremony.
The Northern Railway, which passes through Hail, covering a distance of 2,750 kilometers is the longest railway in the country for passenger and freight transport.
The railway built at a cost of SR10 billion will serve millions of people. Travelers will be able to book tickets from the company’s website. The ticket price from Hail to Qassim is SR50 and Hail to Riyadh is SR120.
The Hail station will receive passengers from Sunday.
Minister of Transport Al-Amoudi said the train service would contribute to the Kingdom’s overall economic growth, as it will attract new investors to the region.
SAR Executive Director Bashar Al-Malik said Hail is the fourth station launched this year for passengers of the Northern Railway.
The other stations are in Riyadh, Al-Majmaah and Qassim. In the next phases, which will be completed in 2018, two other stations will open in Jouf and Qurayyat.
The trains serving the line will have a capacity accommodate 444 passengers. The train, with a total length of 280 meters, has two locomotives and nine carriages, four of them in the economy class, three in the business class, a food carriage and a luggage carriage, said Al-Malik.
He said the railway station would provide the people of Hail with a safe and comfortable transportation mode.
"They will be connected to several cities including the capital Riyadh which will mobilize the economic activities in the area and open more job and investment opportunities. We designed the train station keeping in mind operational efficiency and an attractive design. The train station consists of three floors with a total area of 137,217 sq. meters," said Al-Malik.
He said the station has two separate lounges for arrivals and departures.
It also has a food court, a services area with various commercial stores, travel agency offices, car rental offices, post office, two platforms with a total area of 20,000 sq. meters and a mosque for 300 worshippers, said Al-Malik.
Hail Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary-General Ali Al-Ammash said the train station would have a positive impact on the region’s economy.
"With the opening of the train station, consumers will have a variety of transportation options. Hail will gain credentials as a strategic location for investments. The shipment, storage, and light and heavy transportation services will improve. The train station is also connected to Hail airport and the city’s downtown area," said Al-Ammash, who is an economic analyst.
