Saudi Railways Organization

Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) is a government institution in Saudi Arabia. It is responsible for the rail transport sector in the Kingdom, and is based in the city of Dammam. It is an independent stand-alone organization serving all citizens since 1966. The Saudi Railways Organization mission is to be a state-of-the-art railway network that encompasses the Kingdom, and has international connections and utilizes national manpower to deliver world-class efficient and economic services that realize the benefits of rail transport to the national economy. The idea of establishing a railway network arose when the need arose to create a commercial port on the Gulf coast for the transfer of imported goods to warehouses owned by Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). So Saudi Aramco put forward an idea for the establishment of a railway line from Dammam to Riyadh on the establishment of a major commercial port that can receive huge ships carrying oil and other industrial equipment requirements, and this would benefit the national economy. King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, (God bless his soul) approved the full implementation of the project and in 1951, the official opening ceremony was held in Riyadh. The railway operated under the supervision of Aramco for a period of time, then it linked to the Ministry of Finance and was named the Railway Interest. In 1966, through a royal decree, it was converted into a public institution as the General Organization of Railways managed by a Board of Directors As imports increased and routes between Dammam and Riyadh were facing a congestion crisis, an idea to create a Riyadh Dry Port was implemented and opened in 1981 and imported products belonging to Riyadh region were transferred directly to Riyadh through train where customs were cleared and delivered.

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