Share
MEED’s Mena Rail Projects 2011 conference kicked off on 20 September with presentations and updates on the region’s rail projects.These include the UAE’s $11bn Etihad Rail, Qatar’s $35bn Integrated Rail Project, Jordan’s $3bn national railway and of course, the many rail projects taking place in Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom is currently carrying out the $7bn Haramain high-speed, the North-South Minerals railway, the planned Landbridge and Mecca metro.The Mecca metro will be operating at full capacity by the time hajj comes around in November and the North-South minerals line is currently undergoing trial operations.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in rail is aimed at reducing congestion and traffic while also facilitating transport of passengers between the kingdom’s airports and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The North-South line will eventually join up with Jordan’s national railway project when it gets off the ground. Most delegates at the conference were interested in Qatar’s seriously ambitious rail plans which comprise a four-line metro, light rail transit networks, a freight line and a high-speed passenger line.
Geoff Mee, deputy chief executive of Qatar Railways Company proved to be the most popular figure in the regional rail industry. During the coffee breaks and at lunch, the queue of people waiting to speak to Mee was impressive, with some delegates even complaining about the amount of time spent waiting for their turn.
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment.