Will Riyadh Metro ease the city’s traffic jams? What you need to know

For anyone visiting Riyadh these days, it’s clear that the city’s under-construction $22.5bn metro network is at an advanced stage, with some trains visibly running tests on certain lines.

Saudi Arabia’s transport minister said the 176 km system could go live in 2024.

READ MORE: Riyadh Metro launch imminent, says Saudi transport minister

The project was first launched in 2014, with an initial plan to complete it by 2019. But for various reasons, including Covid-19, the construction of Riyadh Metro has taken longer than expected.

Riyadh Metro will be welcomed by many in Saudi Arabia’s capital city and will provide a major boost for its fast-growing tourism sector too.

Strong growth in the local Saudi economy, thanks to the country’s Vision 2030 drive, has meant that cities such as Riyadh are expanding quickly, naturally putting a strain on local road networks.

When construction started on the Riyadh Metro in 2014, the city’s population was estimated to be 6 million, according to data from World Population Review. Today, Riyadh’s population has grown to 7.8 million people, and by 2035 it is expected to surpass the 9 million mark.

That’s why officials have focused heavily on ‘The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport‘, which is a cornerstone of Riyadh’s broader city development plan.

The plan is designed to offer all residents an efficient, affordable, and comfortable means of transportation. With six metro lines, 84 stations, 80 bus routes, and 842 buses spread across 2,860 stops, the project targets drastically improving traffic flow, reducing pollution, and stimulating economic growth.

As the city gears up for the official launch of its metro system, here’s everything you need to know, according to the most recent updates issued by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).

Expected passenger numbers

At the heart of the King Abdulaziz Project is the Riyadh Metro, which will be the backbone of the city’s public transport network. Initially, the metro is expected to carry 1.2 million passengers daily, with the capacity to expand to 3.6 million at full scale, according to the RCRC. Complementing the metro is an extensive bus network, together capable of serving 1.7 million passengers on a daily basis, during the initial operation phase.

The transport network was planned with several key factors in mind, including the fact that routes have been laid out to serve densely populated areas. The network further connects major points of interest, including government buildings, universities, hospitals, commercial centres, and transport hubs.

Riyadh Metro’s six lines

The metro system comprises six lines spanning a total of 176 km:

• Blue Line: Runs along Al-Olaya – Al-Batha – Al-Hayer roads (38 km)
• Red Line: Follows King Abdullah Road (25.3 km)
• Orange Line: Stretches along Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road – Prince Saad Bin Abdurrahman I Road (40.7 km)
• Yellow Line: Connects King Khalid International Airport Road (29.6 km)
• Green Line: Extends along King Abdulaziz Road (12.9 km)
• Violet Line: Runs along Abdurrahman Bin Awf Road – Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussain Bin Ali Road (30 km)

Key metro stations

Designed with a unified architectural style to create a unique identity for the project, Riyadh’s metro stations are built to ensure passenger safety and comfort. All stations will be air-conditioned, equipped with passenger information systems, and provide internet access. Some of the main stations will include:

• Qasr Al-Hukm District Station
• King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station
• Western Metro Station
• STC Station

Each of these main stations offers amenities such as shops, parking, ticket outlets, and customer service offices. These hubs are strategically located in densely populated areas and at key intersections of metro and bus routes.

Metro cars and amenities

The Riyadh Metro will feature advanced, fully automated trains designed for comfort and energy efficiency. The fleet will consist of 190 sets and 470 carriages.

• 74 Inspiro sets (Lines 1 and 2) by Siemens
• 47 Innovia Metro sets (Line 3) by Bombardier
• 69 Metropolis sets (Lines 4, 5, and 6) by Alstom

Passenger comfort is at the heart of this fleet, with each car equipped with the latest technologies and safety features, including advanced surveillance systems, firefighting equipment, and climate control designed for Riyadh’s weather conditions.

READ MORE: Saudi Arabia unveils Riyadh Expo 2030 master plan

Supporting infrastructure

The project includes 21 park-and-ride facilities with a capacity for 200-600 vehicles each, strategically distributed to facilitate metro access. Additionally, seven depots have been established for parking, maintenance, and control of the metro lines and facilities.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key pillar of the Riyadh Metro project. The stations are designed to meet rigorous environmental standards, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of recycled materials. Notably, the Western Metro Station and Qasr Al-Hukm District Station have both achieved significant energy savings and reduced water consumption, aligning with international benchmarks for green building, says the RCRC.

The King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station stands out with a 34 per cent reduction in energy use and features like preferred parking for low-emission vehicles, promoting green transportation, the RCRC further notes.

Bus network

Finally, any metro system goes hand-in-hand with a supporting bus network, and here Riyadh officials also have ambitious plans for the city.

Once fully launched, the comprehensive bus network will encompass 2,860 stops and 80 routes, served by 842 buses. It will be able to carry up to 500,000 passengers, according to the RCRC. This means that combined with the metro, up to 1.7 million passengers will traverse on buses and trains during the initial phases of the project. Here are the key facts about the city’s new bus system.

• Three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes will provide 160 km of dedicated bus lanes serving high-capacity corridors.
• There will be 19 community lines (910 km of network) that will link main attractions and services such as hospitals, universities, shopping malls, parks, and recreational centres. This will further connect to Riyadh’s BRT and Metro stations.
• The system will also have 58 feeder lines (835 km of network) that will connect to the metro and BRT system.