Riyadh Metro launch imminent, says Saudi transport minister

The launch of Riyadh’s $22.5bn, 174 km metro train system is “just around the corner”, according to Saudi Arabia’s minister of transport and logistics.

Speaking to Arabic TV network Al Arabiya Business, Saleh Al Jasser reiterated previous comments by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) that Riyadh Metro is planned to open this year.

“The opening is just around the corner, and the long wait will end with a distinguished project that we are all looking forward to,” Al Jasser told the network in Arabic.

“The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced that it will open this year. It is undoubtedly a massive project and a significant shift,” he added.

“In terms of size, it is considered the largest metro project in the world being built simultaneously,” he said.

The minister’s comments come amid visible tests being run on several lines of the Riyadh Metro in recent months.

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.

The metro system forms part of ‘The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport‘, which is a cornerstone of Riyadh’s broader city development plan.

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

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.

​​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 daily, 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.

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)