IntelScoops

August 2, 2025 – Riyadh

In a milestone for gender equality and professional advancement in the Kingdom, dozens of Saudi women have officially qualified to operate one of the fastest trains in the world — the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which reaches speeds of up to 300 km/h.

The announcement, made by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), follows the successful completion of a rigorous year-long training program designed to meet international safety and technical standards. These newly certified female drivers now join a select global group of high-speed train operators and mark a striking visual and institutional shift in a country where women only gained the right to drive cars in 2018.

The Haramain Express, also known as the “Mecca-Medina High-Speed Rail,” connects the two Islamic holy cities via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City. Operating at lightning speeds, the electric train slashes what was once a five-hour journey down to two, transporting millions of pilgrims and travellers each year.

“This is not only a proud moment for the Kingdom but a signal to the world that Saudi women are moving full speed ahead in every field — from aviation to high-speed rail,” said Abdulrahman Alharbi, SAR’s Director of Operations. He added that more training cohorts are expected to begin next year.

One of the new recruits, who requested anonymity, said: “Five years ago, I could not even imagine driving a car, and today I am responsible for hundreds of lives aboard a high-speed train. It’s overwhelming, but deeply fulfilling.”

The programme was part of Vision 2030 — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping initiative to diversify the Saudi economy and modernise its society. Under this framework, the government has eased restrictions on women in the workplace and expanded access to higher education, particularly in STEM fields.

Critics of the Kingdom’s human rights record have acknowledged the significance of the move while noting that broader reforms are still needed. However, within Saudi Arabia, the development is being celebrated as a tangible step toward progress.

For these trailblazing engineers — seated at the helm of some of the world’s most advanced rail technology — the message is clear: the journey toward equality is on track, and the pace is accelerating.