Female Train Drivers In Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Women are now operating the Makkah-Madinah Haramain Express Train as part of a number of reforms taking place in Saudi Arabia.
According to a report in the Saudi Gazette, the first group of 32 female Haramain Express Train drivers has received all the necessary training to drive one of the fastest trains in the world.
A video montage produced by the Saudi Railway to commemorate the recent historic event showed women receiving training from instructors and sharing their experiences with the globe.
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The women also cheered the feat to become the first female train drivers in the Middle East, saying transporting pilgrims and visitors gives them the motivation to work with great care.
32 قائدة سعودية ينطلقن بأقصى سرعة لتحقيق حلمهن الكبير في قيادة أحد أسرع قطارات العالم ليكنّ بذلك أولى دفعات #قائدات_قطار_الحرمين_السريع . pic.twitter.com/zWGA5DbsuT
— الخطوط الحديدية السعودية | SAR (@SARSaudiRailway) January 1, 2023
Earlier, a job advert to recruit less than three dozen loco drivers attracted 28,000 applicants as working opportunities for women doubled in the last five years under Kingdom’s vision 2030 which aims to reduce dependence on oil.
In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had announced drastic changes as women were allowed to drive cars for the first time.
Kingdom also deployed female security officers on duty in holy sites to look after the worshippers and pilgrims and ensure that all precautionary measures are followed inside the Grand mosque.
