Saudi Arabia’s Race to Build a $22B Railway in the Desert | WSJ Breaking Ground 

Read about how megaprojects in the desert are sapping Saudi Arabia’s cash and why the kingdom is turning to borrowing to keep up: on.wsj.com/3vFFOwl

When Wall Street Journal tries to become B1M

Saudi Arabia doesn't need investors, it is The Investor.

Saudi keeps thriving

Americans laughing at Saudi Arabia for innovating while they have the worst passenger rail in the world.

*takes Canada over +10 years to build a light rail line and its still not done* hahaha...

Poor video from WSJ for many reasons: 1- it's about one of the largest public transit projects in the world so I expected more details regarding the project itself and its effect on traffic congestion and the estimated economic benefit, but the video did not talk a lot about that and focused on politics. 2- the project is in Saudi Arabia, so it makes sense to have Saudis talk in the video about the project, which did not happen (you invited one Saudi agency to talk specifically about labor protections rather than the project as a whole). 3- you ignored the fact that millions in Riyadh don't own a car, and that's either because they are too young/old to drive, or don't know how to drive (many Saudi women did not learn driving even though the ban on women driving was lifted in 2017), or they don't have the money to buy a car which is true for some foreign workers who came from South Asia. This is very important to mention when speaking about a public transit project in Saudi Arabia

I am living here and it is great. It's development is something I have never seen before.

The 2nd Ave Subway isn't complete. Only the first leg. So it has taken NYC over 100 years to only complete the 1st segment of the 2nd Ave Subway.

As a Saudi Arabian I’ll def take advantage of this transportation system as it will save so much time

I live next to two of the stations and they look fantastic. People can’t wait because Riyadh traffic is absolutely taking its toll on everyonr

You're still gonna talk to us about human rights while your government keeps arming Israel?

The funny thing is how Western media always find criticism on everything none Western.

Finally, Saudi Arabia understands there is nothing better than trains!!

I am living in Riyadh for past 2 years. I would say the worlds safest city ❤ #Riyadh #SaudiArabia

The 2nd Ave subway in New York city has not been completed; just one phase has been completed.

Westerners are talking about human rights.

I've been living in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh for 2 year. Noticeably prosperous all around the city, and what shocked me the most is the kindness treatment by the people it's like you are one of them.

Respect from Thailand.

Vancouver Canada Line 2009 and Montreal REM 2023 are great WORKABLE examples of delivering on time and on budget in Canada

إلى الأمام بإذن الله 🇸🇦❤️🇰🇼

To say Riyadh, hottest is misleading. The best season is from September till April. The hottest months start from June till August. Three months dont dictate full year. Plus Alqedya will be in upper hill that will make the weather a bit colder than the rest of Riyadh.

I wish to live in Saudi Arabia one day. I feel safer in Saudi Arabia.

wonderful - Al hamdullah - love from Pakistan

Is this an advertisement on just Saudi Arabia?

Whether people will ride the trains will depend mostly on where the stations are located, the connecting modes of transportation to/from the station and of course ticket prices.

Railroad takes you from one piece of desert to another. For the low low price of $22b

God bless Saudi 🇸🇦 Zero income tax, high salaries and great culture

I just hate it when an English speaking person, British or American, make mention of any other country's human rights record.

Riyadh KSA is going to be the best city in the world for sure to live in and it's already happening. Long live 🇸🇦

Last year, my company sent me to Riyadh for work. I was there mid summer for about 2 weeks and GOOD LORD it was hot. That aside I was really impressed by the living standard...

Very nice! Love when countries invest and build modern high speed rail.

A very factual and informative video ,explaining the huge investment in infrastructure in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia ❤💯👍

Too much envy in the comments section. As a Saudi, I love it. It means we're going in the right direction. ❤🇸🇦

Building for the future. Great achievement.

Riyadh is going to be one of the future mega cities of the future. They’re laying the infrastructure in droves. Amazing country to invest and do business in.

Always TRUST WSJ to always put a neagtive twist on any positive infrastructure projects elsewhere😂😂😂😂

I think Tunnel Mashines are interesting not boring!

Who would want 2 visit Saudi Arabia??🇺🇸

EXCELENTE NEWS!! Hope the price for travel can have affordable options so we all can enjoy this beautiful project through the desert!

Great video, keep ot up WSJ

I’m building my own Beach Hotel in the Philippines! We open next year! Dreams come true!

People who live in glass houses shouldn't be playing the human rights card 🤣😂

The Wall Street journal should talk about the long list of problems in the US

For our chinese, Saudi arab is the number one place for setting business. as we can see, for next 20 years, the invest environment of saudi arab is stable and getting better.

Proud of them 🇸🇩🤍🇸🇦

Saudi Arabia is beautiful!!!

That wsj lady was quite upset about these projects are not happening in North America 🤣🤣

03:59 "In the winter it can get quite cold" ===> Temperature range: 8 - 20 degrees Celcius in the "winter" ===> This is not *QUITE* cold, but more than suitable to continue as much construction as you can! December - March are the perfects months to crank out as much construction as possible!

Now this is a useful project. Better than the line.

About the “poor working conditions for migrant workers” 1. The law states that it is illegal to have people working outside in the summer to protect them from the heat. 2. Contractors have to provide proof of payment to their staff and if they fail to do so they get punished. 3. Safety standards must be upheld in all sites and reguler safety reports are mandatory. These are only some of the laws and regulations that are strictly implemented and applied to all contractors and workers regardless of nationality.

Let’s goo my country❤❤

Really happy to see Saudi Arabia transforming, modernizing. Especially MBS support for women's right was a crucial moment. The future is bright.

I wonder how many of these buildings and project will still be there after 30-50 years. Many of them seem to be designed to look flashy and not lasting

5:10 The 2nd Ave subway is not anywhere near completion---only an early phase is complete.

I went to world expo of 2020 in Dubai which they held in 2021. Was the best experience of my life the exhibits that people show to represent their country was amazing. If you are a citizen of that exhibition you get to cut in front depending on the country . I went to the US exhibit and you didn’t even have to walk. It was a conveyor belt you stood on that moved you across the whole exhibit. Their show of our space program. drew so many people to our exhibit. The US and kind kingdom of Saudi Arabia had the best exhibits. I wonder what they will do in 2030

Phases helps in undertanding any shortcoming in the project that can be improved or avoided in next phases.

Thanks for sharing this video. Likewise with China, massive amounts of infrastructure development going on. I have not been to Saudi yet but with the encouragement of tourism and more wesyerners visiting, it will only be a matter of time before the country becomes a more mainstream destination for western visitors.

15 years ago when I lived in the Gulf, SA followed UN guidelines & banned working outside at 50°C & over. So the official temp never seemed to go over 49°, no matter what your car thermometer told you...

Its so nice to see that WSJ says that this is Developement and not Environmental Hazard but when other countries do it the tone changes

2:09 Yes, that's true. You would rarely find two wheelers because of extremely hot climate.

Unlike anywhere else there's a lot of sand lying around in Saudi to be converted to concrete

Can US media just *stop politicized every single subject* in Saudi Arabia it just transportation project To help the residents of the city of Riyadh, which is twice as large as Berlin!

Experience shows that metro projects don't really change the city from a car-centric city. Metro projects in fact encourage cars / private vehicles. Metros are not an eco-friendly transport mode.

This is fantastic. It's given people from all over the world jobs. Another part of the world has the opportunity to become green again after hundreds of years. People will not have to emigrate to find a decent lifestyle. Other nearby regions will benefit from the nicer weather and higher rainfall.

Well done to China for building the Saudi Metro Project!

Good to see Saudi Arabia progressing

Actually, Riyadh is colder than Dubai. I get that your extreme hate against Arabs but at least be honest The hottest months are from July to August. The best seasons from September till April Three months doesn't dictate all year. This is to say Moscow is coldest. Sure, it has coldest month, but that doesn't make it all year.

If we do not see other countries going big , more open , more money , more jobs for everyone , more future for young people we will be in the same position 2 or 3 major hubs and all the others starving in poverty , this is a good move from saudi arabia !

In America, takes months, sometimes years to get local roads with potholes fixed! Other countries are so much more advanced..

Similar to Dubai it will be the workers who don't have cars that will benefit the most. Cant wait . I shall visit Riyadh as soon as it opens insh'Allah.

Looking at this, I can see how forward thinking and advanced Singapore has progressed over time since 1965.😊

None of this makes sense in the absence of the oil reserves

Life is easy when you have unlimited oil wealth

Ozymandias will laugh as the sand permanently covers the locomotives.

Video mentions that Riyadh Royal Commission did not respond regarding safety of labor, you don't need their response , you can ask the giant construction companies . Ministry of labor placed a scare into these companies if any anonymous complaint comes in that they are forced to work at noon during summer the ministry inspectors will visit the site and impose hefty fines. Many Saudis and expat workers don't have cars.

Their railway to Mecca was basically built by Spanish companies and uses Spanish trains from Talgo. Which makes sense.

Long live MBS Ma Sha Allah. The country is on a high speed futurestic development journey Alhamdolilah , We wish you God's speed

meanwhile in Canada a high speed train between Calgary and Edmonton (300km) has been on paper for 10 years..

Yes we are modern. Our women can now drive.

Couldn't pay me to go to Saudi Arabia

good info!!

better than cars

Such a well presented information. As a shake i am impressed. Inshallah ❤

It's crazy to see what big infrastructure projects are being built in no man's land 😲

Probably the most sensible megaproject in the country

You improve human rights by improving human rights not by improving just your image.

What's the future of one of the hottest, driest places on the planet, with oil peaking, temperatures rising, and turmoil in the region. Luxury in a totally artificial tourist trap?? Some draw........................

Need more public transport in All cities in KSA

WSJ does such a great job in both print and video like this. Thanks for your great work.

Don't underestimate the Saudis,they are planning something big and futuristic.This metro project will fix the transportation issues in Riyadh..insha Allah.We will get rid of the traffic jams finally

1:31 lol, they built the Eye of Sauron

Dima Saudi kings dom,long life Saudi A, from your brother And devellopementfolower " god bless y "her a Moroccan "

Wow, Saudi is advancing with some high technological plans thats gonna make their country the most amazing country in the world!!!

This video essay is very favorable to the project.

Masha Allah❤

Beautifully built. It will shorten and improve work earnings and improve business in Saudi Arabia it has in the western countries.

Don't know a lot of people who think "progressive" when thinking of Saudi Arabia. Pretty much the opposite really. Khashoggi would properly agree if he could.

Come to Saudi its new country with new soul 🇸🇦♥️

I'm Saudi. Clicked on the video to check how much hate is in the comment section. I have come to expect some. But sadly, there's way more than I expected.