The Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) has issued the Request for Technical Proposals (RFTP) for the Makkah-Madinah Rail Link (MMRL) project to the six short-listed companies.
The railway project contract will also include the construction of passenger stations in the Holy City of Makkah, Jeddah Airport, Jeddah City and the Holy City of Madinah. According to Transport Minister Jabara Al Seraisry, the 500-km Makkah-Madinah Rail Link (MMRL) project is expected to generate revenues amounting to SR500 million (US$133.3m) by 2010 and SR 750m ($186.6m) by 2030. The project is to be implemented on a design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis. It aims at providing a safe, fast, reliable and comfortable mode of transport for Umrah and Haj pilgrims travelling between the two holy cities and Jeddah. The MMRL includes the construction of new high-speed electrified railway lines between Jeddah and Makkah and between Jeddah and Madinah. It will be equipped with modern signalling and telecommunications systems.