Arabian Business reported that construction work has started on a light rail project for the capital city of Saudi Arabia where 36 stations will be built in the Phase I.

As per report, this project is aimed at reducing congestion in Riyadh where 87% of the population uses private cars as the primary mode of transport.

Mr Mohammed Abu Zaid spokesman for the Saudi Railways Organization said that 8 trains would be received within 36 months from the Spanish company CAF.

According to an ADA report seen by the paper, the project which comes under the jurisdiction of Arriyadh Development Authority will see 23 stations built on the first route and 13 on a second rail link.

An ADA source said that the construction works have started on the 2 railway routes of the city. He said that the Phase I will involve the construction of 25 kilometers north south route while the Phase II will involve a 14 kilometers route extending from east to west.

The paper said that the Phase I of the project was expected to cover 30 districts of the city and will serve 1,500 passengers per hour per track initially and then up to 8,000 passengers per hour.

(Sourced from Arabian Business)