Riyadh, December 23, 2024 – The Riyadh Metro, the much-anticipated public transport network for the Saudi capital, has now become a reality, fulfilling the aspirations of millions of residents and transforming the city’s transportation landscape. The grand vision for the metro, meticulously planned and executed over the past two decades, represents not just a transportation project but a symbol of progress and innovation. It is a testament to the foresight of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, whose leadership steered the project from concept to completion, ensuring it would be a cornerstone of Riyadh’s future.
The seeds of the Riyadh Metro project were planted in 2004, when King Salman, then Governor of the Riyadh Region, recognized the pressing need for a modern public transportation system to match the rapid growth and urbanization of the capital. At the time, Riyadh was evolving into a bustling metropolis, rapidly becoming a center of economic activity, culture, and politics, and attracting global attention as a hub for leaders and international dialogues. Understanding the demands of a growing population and the challenges of urban mobility, King Salman directed the establishment of comprehensive studies for a metro network that would meet both current and future needs.
In 2009, following detailed planning and studies, the Saudi Cabinet approved the Public Transport Project, which included both a metro network and a complementary bus system. These efforts were aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents, improving the efficiency of the city’s transportation infrastructure, and positioning Riyadh among the world’s leading cities.
The project officially kicked off on April 3, 2014, when work began on the metro, marking the start of a monumental engineering and logistical endeavor. The scope of the project was vast, involving 65,000 workers from various nationalities, working across 250 sites. More than 1,200 kilometers of traffic diversions and 400 kilometers of service diversions were needed. The construction also involved extensive earthworks, with 4.5 million cubic meters of built-up areas, including underground and above-ground stations and tracks.
The project’s scale and complexity required unprecedented coordination and community involvement. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City launched several public awareness campaigns, including a competition to name the giant excavators used in the project, with the names inspired by local culture and traditions. As the months went by, the vision of the metro began to take shape, with train stations and tracks emerging, and the first trains entering a trial phase.
On November 27, 2024, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, officially inaugurated the Riyadh Metro, marking the culmination of years of hard work, vision, and determination. The opening of the metro was met with immense enthusiasm, with Riyadh residents and visitors eager to experience the new system. The metro began welcoming passengers on December 1, 2024, with three of the six lines – the Blue, Yellow, and Purple lines – fully operational.
By December 15, 2024, the Red and Green lines also began service, and within the first week, the Riyadh Metro saw impressive ridership. According to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, 1.9 million passengers used the metro in its first week of operation, with 370,000 visitors flocking to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) station alone. This remarkable success was a testament to the project’s careful planning and the eagerness of Riyadh’s residents to embrace this transformative mode of transportation.
The Riyadh Metro’s design blends modern engineering with elements of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The four main stations – King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), STC, Qasr Al Hokm, and Western Station – showcase this fusion of innovation and tradition. These stations, designed by internationally renowned architectural firms, serve as key hubs for multiple train routes and the city’s bus network, enhancing the metro's efficiency. The designs took into account environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and ease of maintenance, with each station offering services such as parking, customer service, and retail outlets.
The metro network spans a total of 176 kilometers across six lines, each identified by a distinct color to facilitate easy navigation. The lines include the Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Purple, each with multiple stations designed to provide convenient access to Riyadh's key districts. The metro’s design also ensures accessibility for the growing population of the city, with a total capacity of 1.3 million passengers per day during the initial phase, with the potential to accommodate up to 3.6 million passengers at full capacity.
Riyadh Metro’s success marks the beginning of a new era for the city, positioning it as a model of modern urban transport and sustainable development. As the final Orange Line prepares to begin service on January 5, 2025, the project is set to complete its full operational capacity, fulfilling its role as a vital part of the capital's public transport strategy. The Riyadh Metro not only alleviates traffic congestion but also sets the stage for further growth and development in Riyadh, which continues to be a beacon of progress and innovation in the region.
