Saudi authorities have announced the official opening of the fourth station on Northern Railway network at Hail city.

The railway, built at a cost of SR10 billion ($2.7 billion), will start its operations from Sunday (November 26), reported The Saudi Gazette.

Emir of Hail Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saad inaugurated the railway station yesterday (November 22) in the presence of Minister of Transportation and president of the executive board of the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) Nabil Al Amoudi and other officials.

The Northern Railway, which passes through Hail, covering a distance of 2,750 km is the longest railway in the country for passenger and freight transport, stated the report.

Speaking at the launch, Al Amoudi said the new train service would contribute to the kingdom’s overall economic growth, as it will attract new investors to the region.

Dr Bashar Al Malek, the chief executive of SAR, said the launch of Hail operations comes as part of the second phase of its passenger services expansion, following last February’s launch of services between Riyadh, Majmaah and Qassim.

Hail is the fourth station launched this year for passengers of the Northern Railway. In the next phases, which will be completed in 2018, two other stations will open in Jouf and Qurayyat, he stated.

"We have designed the train station keeping in mind operational efficiency. It consists of three floors with a total area of 137,217 sq m and has two separate lounges for arrivals and departures," explained Al Malek.

It also boasts a food court, a services area with various commercial stores, travel agency offices, car rental offices, post office and two platforms with a total area of 20,000 sq m besides a mosque for 300 worshippers, he added.