Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Hitachi Rail have announced the signing of a new contract that will see a full revamp of the Al Mashaaer Al Muqaddassah Metro Project (MMMP).
The contract, which was signed during InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, marks a key milestone in the ongoing modernisation of railway infrastructure serving the Holy Sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will be formally officiated by Carlo Piacenza, Signalling and Rail Solutions SRS Vice President Middle East and Africa at Hitachi Rail, and Dr. Bashar Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of SAR.
The 18-kilometre Al Mashaaer Al Muqaddassah Metro currently plays a key role in the Kingdom’s transport system, carrying pilgrims between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Comprising nine stations, the railway system is designed to carry around 72,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Under the new contract, SAR and Hitachi Rail will work closely to revamp and enhance the metro system, with a focus on improvements to its reliability, operational performance and long-term service sustainability.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment between SAR and Hitachi Rail to supply more efficient, dependable and high-quality mobility efforts to support pilgrims during their Hajj journey, with the project also set to contribute to the Kingdom’s wider ambitions to develop ‘world-class’ transportation infrastructure whilst continuously improving the mobility experience during Hajj.
Carlo Piacenza, Signaling and Rail Solutions SRS Vice President Middle East and Africa at Hitachi Rail, said:The revamping of the Al Mashaaer Al Muqaddassah Metro marks another significant milestone in our longstanding partnership with SAR.
The project reflects our shared commitment to supporting the Kingdom's transportation ambitions and enhancing the experience of millions of pilgrims each year. Together, we are delivering reliable, efficient and sustainable mobility solutions that contribute to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the continued development of the Kingdom's rail network.
