The Saudi capital city is getting ready to launch the Riyadh Metro, one of the largest transport projects in the world.
The mega project will become operational by the end of this year, aiming to transform the transportation landscape in Riyadh with 6 key lines and 84 metro stations.
Riyadh Metro Project
The Riyadh Metro project is a key pillar of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport. It aims to provide efficient and affordable transit options for the residents and visitors of the Saudi capital city.
The construction started in 2014, and will become operational in December 2024, according to the project’s schedule. With a cost estimated at $22.5bn, the project embraces cutting-edge technologies, sustainability and efficiency, in line with the massive ongoing transformation in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.
The Metro project goes hand-in-hand with a bus network. Hence, the Riyadh Bus Project is fully integrated with the metro network. It is designed to connect the capital’s districts with business and commercial centers, with a capacity of transporting over 500,000 passengers.
Riyadh Metro’s Vision
The project aims to cover most of the densely populated areas in Riyadh, including public facilities, as well as educational, commercial and medical institutions. The extensive network consists of 6 lines with a total length of 176 kilometers and 84 metro stations.
This network is connected to key locations, such as King Khalid International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), in addition to major universities, downtown Riyadh and the public transportation center.
According to the latest updates from the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), the Metro project will transport up to 1.2 million passengers daily in its initial phase. This capacity will potentially increase to 3.6 million passengers daily once the project is fully operational.
Main Lines
The Riyadh Metro system consists of 6 interconnected lines spanning 176 kilometers. The lines are color-coded in blue, red, orange, green, yellow, and purple.
These lines are:
- Blue Line: Axis of Al-Olaya – Al-Batha – Al-Hayer roads (38 km)
- Red Line: Axis of King Abdullah Road (25.3 km)
- Orange Line: Axis of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road – Prince Saad Bin Abdurrahman I Road (40.7 km)
- Yellow Line: Axis of King Khalid International Airport Road (29.6 km)
- Green Line: Axis of King Abdulaziz Road (12.9 km)
- Purple Line: Axis of Abdurrahman Bin Awf Road – Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussain Bin Ali Road (30 km)
Riyadh Metro Main Stations
The Riyadh Metro Project includes four main stations located in the densely populated areas and at the intersection of metro lines and the bus network. These main stations serve as connectivity hubs for a seamless travel experience.
The 4 main stations are:
- Qasr Al-Hukm District Station
- King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station
- Western Metro Station
- STC Station
The stations’ design aims to provide passengers with the highest level of comfort and safety, with air-conditioners, information systems and internet service. Some stations have shops and car parks. Each of these main stations provides amenities such as parking spaces, ticket outlets, shops and customer services offices.
Embracing Sustainability
Sustainability is a key component of the Riyadh Metro Project, as part of Saudi Arabia’s environmental commitments. Therefore, this revolutionary mega project provides a clean and efficient alternative to traditional transportation, which in turn helps in cutting carbon emissions.
Furthermore, the project reduces congestion on Riyadh’s streets, by enhancing connectivity through its extensive network. This contributes to creating a more sustainable urban landscape.
Additionally, the metro stations’ design is eco-friendly to promote environmental sustainability. The Riyadh Metro Project accommodates measures to reduce water and energy consumption, improve air quality, harness local materials, and promote waste recycling.
It also incorporates renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic cells, and other green materials with low volatile organic compounds to emphasize its commitment to environmental sustainability.
