Six Gulf states sign GCC Railway framework as network reaches 56 percent completion
The 2,117 km network linking all six GCC members is targeted to start full operations in December 2030, with passenger trains designed for up to 200 km/h.
The six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have signed a framework agreement to advance the GCC Railway project, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi announced on Sunday. The 2,117 km network connecting all six countries is now 56 percent complete, with full operations targeted for December 2030.
Under the design, passenger trains will run at up to 200 km/h while freight services operate at 80 to 120 km/h. The project projects more than 8 million passengers and 95 million tonnes of freight annually by 2045. The agreement establishes a common framework for cross-border interoperability among member states, covering technical standards and operating procedures. The GCC Railway has been delayed several times in its history, and the completion figure reflects official statements rather than an independent audit. The project is part of a broader wave of regional rail investment across the Middle East and South Asia.