The Public Transport Authority, in cooperation with the Saudi Railways Company (SAR) and the Saudi Railways Organization, has invited leading international companies to partner with it in providing passenger and cargo services in the Kingdom. It seeks to enter into long-term strategic alliances to provide these rail services, specifically in the Riyadh-Dammam and North-North lines, in addition to other future projects. This new partnership plan comes as part of the Authority's efforts to develop the railways and tap the private sector in the construction and operation of railways network in the Kingdom. Minister of Transport Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Transport Authority, said that the plan is in line with the National Transformation Program and the Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the railway sector. It seeks to increase the participation of the private sector in development projects. Al-Hamdan said that among the objectives of seeking partnership with international operators is to pursue excellence and raise the level of performance. The aim is to comply with international operating standards and safety, improve reliability, reduce costs, and increase revenues. A culture of quality will also be established by tapping advanced capabilities, such as increased marketing experience and improved customer service. This will make railways a reliable mode of transport for passengers and cargo, reducing reliance on government support. The Minister of Transport said that "the aspirations are great and the hopes are broad." The ambitious plans are not limited to the sectors overseen by the Public Transport Authority, as the ministry is working hard to complete projects and accelerate the privatization process related to some key sectors, such as public transport and roads.
