First phase of Riyadh Metro opens
The project is designed to accommodate up to 3.6mn passengers daily at full capacity
The first phase of the Riyadh Metro has been inaugurated by His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The project has been deemed the backbone of the capital’s public transport network and is one of the largest driverless transportation systems in the world.
“The Riyadh Public Transport Project, which spans metro and bus networks, is the culmination of concerted efforts made by His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the outcome of His Majesty’s visionary leadership while serving as Chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, the predecessor of RCRC,” said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).
On full completion, Riyadh Metro will feature six lines spanning 176km to ensure a fast, reliable and comfortable commuting experience for all. The network has been developed to transport over 3.6mn passengers at maximum capacity, and operates on a fully automated (driverless) metro system. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh Metro will significantly bolster urban mobility and the services and logistics sector in Riyadh, said a statement.
Riyadh Metro is a key component of the Riyadh Public Transport (RPT), a well-integrated and efficient public transport network designed to serve both residents and tourists alike, and which includes metro lines, buses, feeders, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Bus on Demand, as well as Park & Ride facilities, it added.
H.E. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Sultan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and CEO of RCRC added, “Today, Riyadh City is reaping the benefits of this project that will reshape the capital’s image and redefine mobility for its residents and visitors. The network is in line with Riyadh’s economic, social, environmental, and urban development objectives, and represents a historic milestone in the capital’s transportation sector. Riyadh Metro is going to ease the daily lives and commute of citizens, residents and visitors, offering them a world-class urban travel experience.”
The metro will operate in phases, with the first three lines – the Blue line (Line 1), the Yellow line (Line 4), and the Purple line (Line 6) – opening to the public on 1 December. Subsequent launches of the Red line (Line 2) and the Green line (Line 5) are scheduled for 15 December, while the Orange line (Line 3) is set to launch on 5 January 2025 culminating in a complete network of six lines featuring 85 strategically located stations, including four main stations: King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), STC, Qasr Al Hokm, and Western Station.
The Riyadh Metro is said to be a key milestone of the ambitious plans outlined by RCRC to improve mobility and enhance quality of life. The project comprises 183 trains with a total of 448 cars that were manufactured by three global train manufacturers –- Siemens (Germany), Bombardier (Canada), and Alstom (France), and features a modern and unified design by Avant Premiere (France), the statement continued.
Riyadh Metro is said to be an integral part of the city’s infrastructure network, and will provide support to Riyadh’s future development and serve as an efficient transport solution for Expo 2030 and other major events. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable urban development, driven by the need to reduce pollution, while addressing transportation demands.
Aligning with global sustainability standards and smart sustainable solutions, the network integrates environmental practices, featuring stations constructed with 20% recycled materials and local resources, and engineered to lower energy and water usage. Riyadh Metro stations demonstrate a commitment to international sustainability standards in design and execution, having won gold LEED certifications for both the KAFD and Qasr Al Hokm stations, the statement concluded.
