Syria Plans Four Damascus Rail Routes Under Hejaz Railway Revival

Syria, November 2026 – Syria has proposed four passenger railway routes connecting central Damascus with surrounding suburbs and key destinations, as part of efforts to revive the historic Hejaz Railway. Transport Minister Yarub Badr presented the plans on 8 November at a railway development forum held at the historic Hejaz Railway Station in Damascus.

The proposed routes would connect the city centre with Qudsaya and Dummar; Maadamiyah and Qatana; and southern districts including Deir Ali and Kisweh. A fourth route would link Hejaz Station with the Damascus International Fairgrounds and Damascus International Airport. Authorities are also examining connections between the proposed Green and Red metro lines at Hejaz Square, potentially integrating suburban rail services with the city's future urban transport network.

Beyond domestic passenger services, Syria is exploring the restoration of an international railway corridor towards the Jordanian border. The initiative forms part of a wider regional proposal involving Türkiye, Syria and Jordan to rebuild railway connections and support freight movements between the Gulf and Europe. Türkiye has identified approximately 400 kilometres of missing track between Syria and Jordan, while Ankara has agreed to finance the reconstruction of a 30-kilometre section between Damascus and the Jordanian border.

Financing remains a major challenge. Badr has estimated that restoring Syria's war-damaged railway network would require approximately US$5.5 billion. A proposed Damascus–Jordan railway connection has separately been estimated at around US$250 million, with financing arrangements still under consideration. In April 2026, the World Bank allocated US$200 million for locomotive procurement and railway staff training. Meanwhile, freight activity is showing signs of recovery, with the national railway authority reporting 232,443 tonnes of fuel oil transported during the first quarter, an 81% increase year-on-year.

The latest proposals follow a trial run of a restored historic excursion train in Damascus on 6 November, undertaken to assess its technical and operational condition ahead of a possible return to service. Originally opened in 1908, the Hejaz Railway connected Damascus with Medina and played a significant role in regional passenger transport and pilgrimage. Its revival now presents an opportunity to combine heritage preservation with modern passenger services, tourism development and international freight connectivity.

Source: bne IntelliNews