Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — About 50 percent of people who responded to a survey by the Ministry of Transport have asked the government to give priority to railway projects to accelerate economic growth while 37 percent wanted it to focus on road projects, including expressways.

A total of 12,893 people participated in the survey conducted by the ministry through its official Twitter account.

Ten percent of the participants voted for airport projects while 3 percent wanted more seaports, Al-Watan Arabic daily reported.

Hamoud Al-Maimouni, an engineer, said he would back railway projects like Makkah-Madinah express train. He favored railway for six reasons: safety, speed, increased comfort, low cost, reduced accidents and less pollution.

Mohammed Al-Dubl, also an engineer, underlined the significance of railway in ensuring safety of passengers, saving energy and protecting the environment and promoting a culture of using public transport in the country.

Tanaf Al-Rawabi, deputy director of the Commerce Ministry's office in Afeef, said all transport projects are aimed at protecting the interests of citizens and enhancing their welfare and progress.

"Agricultural roads are also important as it would serve a large number of poor people. We need a fair distribution of projects as per people's requirements," he added.

Sharief Al-Sharief wanted all regions of the Kingdom to be linked by a railway network. "It will contribute to reducing road accidents, lowering pressure on airports, boosting domestic tourism and facilitating public transport," he explained while speaking to Al-Watan.

Abdul Aziz Bin Raja wanted railway projects to get priority because of the Kingdom's vast geography. "The railway will certainly complement air and road transport to facilitate the movement of people between different parts of the Kingdom," he added.

Abdul Aziz Al-Nafeesa has a different view. He said priority must be given to expressways. "Because it provides the easiest transport system and it links people with airports, seaports and railways."

According to him, railway represents the most dangerous mode of transportation.

However, Majed Abdul Lateef, an engineer by profession, backed railways as a safe and secure transportation means. "We have enough airports and seaports but we lag behind in railways, which can link different parts of the Kingdom with the Gulf countries and other parts of the world," he pointed out.

Fahd Al-Suhaim believes that railways would boost the Kingdom's economic and social development and reduce pressure on expressways.

Hamza Al-Shoukani highlighted railways' strategic importance in accelerating economic growth and promoting trade.

Nadir Al-Farshouti also backed railways saying it will reduce road accidents that kill and injure thousands of Saudis and expatriates every year.

Abdul Aziz Al-Malki was among the 3 percent of voters who backed seaport projects to strengthen national economy and create new job opportunities for Saudis.