Lexi Webster
Bahrain is an archipelago of over 30 islands in the Arabian Gulf, located east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar. Currently, there are no railways in Bahrain. However, the country has plans for a light rail network, also known as the Bahrain Metro, to serve its capital, Manama, and the surrounding metropolitan region. The project was first proposed in 2008 and is expected to be operational by 2025. In addition, Bahrain is working on the King Hamad Causeway project, which will connect the country's transport system to Saudi Arabia through a road-rail connection. This project is estimated to cost USD 3.5 billion and is expected to be completed by 2025.
What You'll Learn
Bahrain's proposed light rail network
The Bahrain Metro will be a 109km-long light rail system with four lines, featuring fully automated, driverless electric carriages. The project will be developed in phases, with the first phase including about 30 km, 20 stations, and 2 interchanges. The Red Line will be the first operational line, starting from Bahrain International Airport and ending at Seef Mall, with 9 stations and a length of 13 km. The Blue Line will be the second line, running from Juffair to Isa Town with 11 stations and a length of 15.6 km.
The project aims to modernise public transport in Bahrain, reduce road congestion, and generate socio-economic benefits such as reducing emissions and promoting a clean and safe environment. The construction of the first phase of the project was approved by the Government of Bahrain in October 2021 and is expected to be operational by 2025.
In addition to the Bahrain Metro, the country is also involved in the Gulf Railway project, also known as the GCC Railway. This proposed railway system aims to connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states in Eastern Arabia, providing unhindered travel and boosting intra-GCC trade. Bahrain's portion of the project includes three proposed stations at Khalifa bin Salman Port, Bahrain International Airport, and Amwaj Islands.
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The Gulf Railway project
The rail network will span a total length of 2,177 km with each GCC member state responsible for implementing the portion of the project within its territory, including the construction of railway lines, branches, stations, and freight terminals. The cost of the project, estimated at US$250 billion, will be shared by the six countries in proportion to the length of the rail network in each country. As a result, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will bear the highest cost burden, followed by Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Despite the potential benefits, the project has faced several challenges and delays. One significant hurdle has been financing, exacerbated by volatile oil prices and the lack of alignment among the interests of the six states involved. In addition, there have been logistical challenges presented by cross-border rail construction in the Gulf, regulatory hurdles, and technical issues.
Bahrain's role in the project includes the construction of three proposed stations at Khalifa bin Salman Port, Bahrain International Airport, and Amwaj Islands. Bahrain initially stated that it would not begin construction on its portion of the project linking with Saudi Arabia until 2023 and that the link to Kuwait would be constructed after completing the Saudi link.
While the project has faced delays, experts believe it will eventually be completed, with the earliest estimated completion date being 2025, and the most likely date being 2030.
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Bahrain's metro network plans
The metro is planned to run on 109 kilometres of rail track, with 30 kilometres of it elevated. It will consist of four lines—red, green, yellow, and blue. The system will be fully automated and driverless, incorporating a Grade 4 automation (GoA4) system. The project will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase, which includes the red and blue rail lines, has been approved and will span over 29 kilometres in length, comprising 20 stations operating via the two lines, with a projected daily passenger capacity of 43,000. The red line will be the first operational line, starting from Bahrain International Airport and ending at Seef Mall, with a total of nine stations and a length of 13 kilometres. The blue line will be the second line, running from Juffair to Isa Town with 11 stations and a length of 15.6 kilometres.
The second phase, which includes the green and yellow lines, is currently under study by the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication (MTT). These lines will link the King Hamad International Passenger Station in the Ramli area with Sports City and the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in the Sakhir area. This phase will span 18 kilometres in length and include five stops.
The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion and enhance the ease and efficiency of commuting across the country. It is also anticipated to bring about broader socio-economic advantages, including environmental sustainability through the reduction of emissions and the promotion of a clean and safe environment with the use of electric trains.
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Bahrain's railway connection to Saudi Arabia
Bahrain is planning to build a new road and rail causeway to improve the connection between it and Saudi Arabia. The causeway, named the King Hamad Causeway, will cost an estimated $4-5 billion and will be funded by both the private sector and the state. The causeway will include a 70-km railway connecting a passenger terminal in Salmabad and freight facilities at Khalifa bin Salman port in Bahrain to the Saudi railway system.
The project is expected to be owned by the private sector through a new company with a 25-30 year public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. The existing King Fahd causeway, open since 1986, has an average daily traffic of 31,000 passengers in 2016, but this number is expected to double by 2030.
The Gulf Railway, also known as the GCC Railway, is a proposed railway system that will connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in Eastern Arabia. The rail network will be approximately 2,177 km long and will cost an estimated $250 billion. The project was initially scheduled to be completed by 2030, but construction has yet to begin.
Bahrain's portion of the project will involve constructing a link to Kuwait after completing the link to Saudi Arabia. Three stations are proposed to be constructed in Bahrain as part of the Gulf Railway project. After entering Bahrain from Dammam, the first station will be at Khalifa bin Salman Port, followed by stations at the Bahrain International Airport and Amwaj Islands. From Amwaj, the line will head to Qatar.
In addition to the Gulf Railway project, Bahrain is also developing its own light rail network, known as the Bahrain Metro. The $1-2 billion project will cover a total area of over 109 sq. km and is expected to be operational by 2025. The Bahrain Metro will have a total of four lines, with two lines being constructed in Phase 1. The Red Line will be the first operational line, starting from Bahrain International Airport and ending at Seef Mall. The Blue Line will be the second line, running from Juffair to Isa Town.
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Bahrain's ranking in the ICT Development Index
While Bahrain does not currently have a functioning railway system, the country has proposed a light rail network, also known as the Bahrain Metro, which will serve Manama and its greater metropolitan region. The project is expected to be operational by 2025.
In terms of Bahrain's ranking in the ICT Development Index, the country has consistently performed well in recent years. In 2024, Bahrain was ranked fifth globally and third in the Arab world in the ICT Development Index (IDI) issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This marks the second consecutive year that Bahrain has achieved this ranking, improving from 31st globally in 2017.
Bahrain's high ranking in the ICT Development Index reflects its strong dedication to advancing its technology and digital economy goals. The country has made significant improvements in the proportions of Internet users and households with Internet access. The early launch of LTE services in 2013 contributed to achieving almost universal Internet use in Bahrain.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Bahrain has played a crucial role in the country's telecommunications sector development and growth. Their efforts have been instrumental in Bahrain maintaining its first-place ranking among Arab countries.
Bahrain's continued progress in the ICT sector is aligned with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and is overseen by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The country's commitment to fostering innovation and digital transformation across various economic sectors has contributed to its regional and global advancement in telecommunications infrastructure and information technology.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are currently no railways in Bahrain.
Yes, the Bahrain Light Rail Network (Bahrain Metro) is a proposed public transport project that will serve Manama and its greater metropolitan region. The project is expected to be operational by 2025.
The project is expected to cost between $1–$2 billion.
There will be a total of four lines, with two lines being constructed in Phase 1.
The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by 2025, with the full network becoming operational by 2055.
