Saudi Arabia's transport system is undergoing a massive transformation as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, with major investments in rail, metro, aviation, and public transport infrastructure.
And its capital city seems to be ahead of everything. Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia is working on an ambitious new ￡20billion metro system that is all set to transform the way locals and tourists travel.
Spanned across 109 miles with six lines and 85 stations, the new metro system will carry up to 3.6 million passengers daily at full capacity.
The five lines (Blue, Yellow, Purple, Red, and Green) have already been opened to the public in December 2024, while the Orange line is set to launch on January 5, 2025.
Four iconic main stations will be King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), STC, Qasr Al Hokm, and Western Station.
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The project includes 183 trains with a total of 448 cars, manufactured by three leading global train companies—Siemens (Germany), Bombardier (Canada), and Alstom (France). It features a sleek, modern, and unified design created by Avant Premiere (France).
HE Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Sultan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and CEO of RCRC said at the time of inauguration: “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.”
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According to the estimates, the metro system is likely to be a solution to the city’s growing population.
The latest data suggests that Riyadh’s population stands at 7.8 million till 2024; however, it is expected to 15 to 20 million people by 2030.
According to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the project is not just an infrastructure upgrade but also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
First announced in 2016, the vision aims to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil by boosting private sector growth, with the metro playing a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Apart from tourism and major events, the metro is also designed to enhance economic mobility by seamlessly connecting the city's neighbourhoods with key commercial districts.