Project Profile: AlUla Experiential Tramway

The AlUla Experiential Tramway is a landmark infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia, engineered to provide a sustainable, battery-powered light rail solution through a region of immense historical and cultural significance. This initiative integrates advanced Alstom rolling stock with a route that carefully follows the historic Hijaz railway corridor, connecting key heritage sites while supporting the region’s long-term tourism and development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

Technical Specifications

The core of the AlUla Tramway is its advanced, catenary-free power and propulsion system. The project utilizes 20 Alstom Citadis B trams, which are fully battery-powered to eliminate the need for overhead lines, thereby preserving the region’s pristine visual landscape. Power is supplied via Alstom’s Mitrac B battery solution, with rapid replenishment handled by the SRS ground-based static charging system at stations. This ensures high operational availability with minimal downtime. The 22.4 km Phase 1 route features 17 stations, connecting AlUla’s Central Hijaz station to the Hegra UNESCO World Heritage site. The system is designed for full accessibility with 100% low-floor trams, ergonomic seating, and real-time passenger information systems to ensure a seamless multimodal transit experience.

Key Takeaways

• Heritage-Integrated Design: The tramway’s alignment along the historic Hijaz railway corridor provides modern transit while honoring the region’s legacy, offering access to five key archaeological districts including Hegra and AlUla Old Town.
• Sustainable Mobility Benchmark: By deploying a fully battery-operated fleet with ground-based charging, the project sets a new standard for eco-friendly public transportation in environmentally and culturally sensitive areas.
• Economic and Tourism Catalyst: The tramway is a foundational element of AlUla’s regeneration, designed to enhance the visitor experience, manage tourist flow sustainably, and stimulate local economic growth in line with Saudi Arabia’s national development objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the AlUla Tramway open?
Phase 1 of the AlUla Tramway, which covers the 22.4 km route from AlUla Central Hijaz station to the Hegra heritage site, is planned to become operational in late 2027.

Who is building the AlUla Tramway?
The project is a collaboration between several global engineering leaders. Alstom is supplying the battery-powered trams and maintenance, SYSTRA is leading the engineering and design, and a joint venture of Setec, Egis, and Assystem is providing overall project and construction management services.