First test run on Saudi Arabia's high speed Haramain railway

Saudi Railways Organisation chief hails test a success as train travels from Jeddah to Makkah

Saudi Arabia's Haramain high-speed railway project began its first test run on Tuesday with a train travelling from Jeddah to Makkah, according to an official.

The railway project, which will comprise 35 passenger cars, will offer two-way trips every half an hour between Makkah and Madinah.

Dr Rumaih Al-Rumaih, president of the Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO), said in comments published by Kuwait News Agency that the test run was a success.

The Haramain project will stretch for 450,000 kilometres and it is expected to transport some 60 million passengers annually.

Trains are expected to travel at a speed of 300 kilometres per hour.