29 July 2012
DAMMAM: There is hectic activity at the train stations in Riyadh and Dammam these days as the number of Saudi and expat commuters between the two cities has increased dramatically.
"I frequently take the train to Dammam from Riyadh and vice versa for my business trips," said Ibrahim Rizq, an Egyptian executive working for a major furniture group.
"I consider this to be the safest mode and so far by the grace of Allah I have had no problems."
The Dammam-Abqaiq-Hofuf-Riydah rail line, run by the Saudi Railway Organization, is currently the only operating railway line in the Kingdom.
A large rail network will be in place soon, connecting the Kingdom's remote areas with the main cities of Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, and Riyadh.
Mohammad Ilyas, a young IT assistant at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh, was on the train to Riyadh from Dammam on Friday. He seemed every bit relaxed.
"These trains are luxurious and offer full security to the womenfolk," he said, referring to the special compartment for families.
"I had to travel to Dammam to drop my sister and her children, and for me, taking the train was the best possible option. I can't think of getting into a private taxi with my sister and children. What if the taxi breaks down in the middle of the highway?" he said.
Mohammed Nasser Al-Ghamdi, a former Saudi Aramco employee, is a regular train commuter and says train journeys for him are like stress-busters.
"I love conversations, and on these trains you usually meet interesting people," said Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.
DAMMAM: There is hectic activity at the train stations in Riyadh and Dammam these days as the number of Saudi and expat commuters between the two cities has increased dramatically.
"I frequently take the train to Dammam from Riyadh and vice versa for my business trips," said Ibrahim Rizq, an Egyptian executive working for a major furniture group.
"I consider this to be the safest mode and so far by the grace of Allah I have had no problems."
The Dammam-Abqaiq-Hofuf-Riydah rail line, run by the Saudi Railway Organization, is currently the only operating railway line in the Kingdom.
A large rail network will be in place soon, connecting the Kingdom's remote areas with the main cities of Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, and Riyadh.
Mohammad Ilyas, a young IT assistant at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh, was on the train to Riyadh from Dammam on Friday. He seemed every bit relaxed.
"These trains are luxurious and offer full security to the womenfolk," he said, referring to the special compartment for families.
"I had to travel to Dammam to drop my sister and her children, and for me, taking the train was the best possible option. I can't think of getting into a private taxi with my sister and children. What if the taxi breaks down in the middle of the highway?" he said.
Mohammed Nasser Al-Ghamdi, a former Saudi Aramco employee, is a regular train commuter and says train journeys for him are like stress-busters.
"I love conversations, and on these trains you usually meet interesting people," said Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.
© Arab News 2012
