JEDDAH, 15 April 2006 — The Saudi Railways Organization will hold a project day here next month for potential investors in the Makkah-Madinah Rail Link, part of an ambitious railway expansion project. The SRO intends to operate high-speed trains between the two holy cities.

“The Makkah-Madinah Rail Link (MMRL) will comprise the construction of approximately 500 kilometers of new high speed electrified railway line, equipped with a modern signaling and telecommunications system,” the SRO said in a statement.

The project involves construction of a new lines between Jeddah and Makkah and between Jeddah and Madinah, the organization said.

The MMRL will provide a safe, fast, reliable and comfortable mode of transport for Umrah and Haj pilgrims traveling between the three cities.

The government will grant concessions to the private sector for the construction and operation of the rail link on a build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) basis.

SRO planned the project after observing the growing number of Umrah and Haj pilgrims who travel between Makkah and Madinah. Their number is expected to grow further as a result of new regualtions facilitating Umrah traffic.

Nearly 2.5 million pilgrims visit the two holy cities during the Haj season. In addition, 7.5 million people, including two million during Ramadan alone, come for Umrah annually. In addition, there is heavy commuter traffic between Makkah and Jeddah.

The land-bridge project that plans to link major cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Jubail and seaports in the Kingdom is the main thrust of the railway expansion.

The Makkah Region together with Riyadh and Dammam account for around two-thirds of Saudi Arabia’s population.

Referring to the project day, scheduled for May 23, the SRO said it was aimed at providing information required by key players, such as high speed rail technology suppliers, passenger rail operators, civil and electro-mechanical contracting companies and other prospective investors.

“A typical consortium bidding for the project would include a high speed technology provider, rail operator, and a construction company as well as financial, legal and technical advisers,” it said.

The organization said it would start the prequalification process soon after the project day. Extensive work has been undertaken toward the launching of the tender for the concession.

“Participation in the project day will be by invitation only,” the SRO said, adding that application forms for the invitation can be filled in by visiting www.ubs.com/mmrlprojectdayjeddah.

SRO had earlier invited leading North American, European and Japanese companies specialized in operating high-speed trains to present their proposals on the latest technologies.

Feasibility studies have showed that there is considerable demand for train service between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah and the project will have a lot of social and economic benefits.

The proposed land bridge will reduce travel time between Riyadh and Jeddah by at least five hours depending on the type of trains used. Cargo trains would be able to cover the distance between Jeddah and Dammam in 24 hours.