Riyadh Metro to be Launched This Year

Ten years after launching the works of the prestigious $22.5 billion Riyadh Electric Train Project (Riyadh Metro), the first phase of the project is set to launch in the coming weeks, Saudi Arabia’s Transport and Logistics Minister Saleh Al-Jasser said.

“The Riyadh Metro is nearing its grand opening, which is expected to take place within just a few weeks,” he said dismissing speculations that the project will be delayed as against the deadline of December 2024.

In an interview with Arabic news channel Al Arabiya, Al-Jasser said that the metro, which is an exceptional and historic project, was in its final stages, and the matter was now with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. “You will hear positive news from the commission very soon,” he said and added that the metro was undergoing daily testing.

Al-Jasser also said that the project will achieve a qualitative shift in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and it is the largest metro project in the world to be built at one time. The mass rapid transit system will initially accommodate 1.2 million passengers daily, with an eventual capacity of approximately 3.6 million.

The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport is part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s ambitious city plan to equip Riyadh with public transport that will provide all population groups with suitable public transport services, accommodating existing and future mobility needs in Riyadh.

Largest in GCC Region

The project, the largest public transportation system in the Gulf region, is dedicated to building, operating, and developing a world-class rapid transport network for Riyadh, providing comfortable, affordable, and time-saving mobility options for all citizens throughout the city.

This significant investment in public transit is expected to address traffic congestion and air pollution while reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions in Riyadh, whose population grew from 150,000 in 1960 to over 7 million in 2020.

The public transport network will create an interconnected city with, six metro lines, 84 metro stations, 80 bus routes, 2,860 bus stops and 842 buses. Additionally, the metro will connect vital locations, including King Khalid International Airport, the King Abdullah Financial District, major universities, downtown and the Public Transport Centre.

According to the Riyadh Development Authority, the project is projected to generate annual revenues of $11.45 billion, create over 7,000 jobs and significantly reduce car trips by approximately 250,000 per day. This reduction is expected to save around 400,000 litres of fuel daily and contribute to lower air pollution emissions.