Riyadh MetroRiyadh Metro (قطار الرياض)The Riyadh Metro, or in Arabic: قطار الرياض Qiṭār Ar-riyāḍ. Riyadh Metro is a rapid transit system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Partially opened in December 2024, it is part of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport. It will consist of six metro lines spanning a total length of 176 kilometres (109 mi), with 85 stations. The project will cost $22.5 billion to build. Lines 1, 4 and 6 are expected to open on December 1, 2024; lines 2 and 5 are expected to open on December 15, 2024; line 3 is expected to open January 5, 2025. This is the second metro system in Saudi Arabia, after the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line for Hajj pilgrims in Mecca, which opened in November 2010, fourth on the Arabian Peninsula, sixth in the Arab World, and fifteenth in the Middle East. Riyadh Metro History In June 2013, a shortlist of three major global consortia was chosen to build the metro. Contracts were awarded in July 2013, with construction planned to start in 2014 and take 4 years. The groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on April 4, 2014. It is currently being built by construction companies including Bechtel, Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company, Strukton, Webuild, Larsen & Toubro, Samsung C&T, and Nesma. Riyadh Metro Consortia
In February 2018, Riyadh governor, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, stated that 68% of the project has been finished and that the metro will go Demo Run in late September 2018. In March 2018, the Saudi economy minister Mohammad Al Tuwaijri commented at the Saudi-UK CIO Forum in London that a soft opening is planned for 2019 (June–August) and the full availability of the system is expected in 2021. In December 2021, it was announced that more than 90% of the project had been completed, with testing well underway. In March 2023, opening was planned for late 2024. The opening of the metro system – featuring lines 1, 4, and 6 – is expected to occur on 1 December 2024. Lines 2 and 5 are expected to open two weeks later on 15 December with the final line – line 3 – opening on 5 January, 2025. Riyadh Metro Corruption Allegations In 2017, prince Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud was arrested as part of the 2017 Saudi Arabian purge. Part of the allegations against him, was that he, as Riyadh Governor, had awarded contracts for the Riyadh Metro to his own companies. Riyadh Metro Lines Riyadh Metro includes six lines, each of which is assigned a unique color. The following table provides information about the Riyadh Metro Lines: Line Code Line Name Line Length No. of stations Interchange/Transfer stations Notes 1 Blue Line 38 km (24 mi) 24 stations 4 stations The blue line runs in a north–south direction along Olaya and Batha Streets, starting just north of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Street and ending at Dar AlBaida Sports Ground in the south, terminating at the South Depot/Workshop for Line 1. The metro will primarily travel underground in a tunnel along Olaya and King Faisal Streets, while it will be elevated on a viaduct along Batha Street and at the northern and southern ends of the route. 2 Red Line 25.3 km (15.7 mi) 14 stations 3 stations The red line runs east-west along King Abdullah Road, between King Saud University and the eastern sub-center. It primarily travels on an elevated strip in the median of a planned freeway. 3 Orange Line 40.7 km (25.3 mi) 21 stations 2 stations The orange line runs east-west along Al-Madinah Al Munawwarah and Prince Saad Bin Abdulrahman Al Awal Roads, starting in the west near Jeddah Expressway and ending in the east near the National Guard camp of Khashm El Aan. It will be mostly elevated along the western part of Al-Madinah Al Munawwarah Road, then underground in tunnels in the central section, and generally at grade along Prince Saad Bin Abdulrahman Road. 4 Yellow Line 29.6 km (18.4 mi) 9 stations (3 common with Line 6) 4 stations The gold line runs from King Khaled International Airport to the new King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). 5 Green Line 12.9 km (8.0 mi) 11 stations 2 stations The green line runs underground in a tunnel along King Abdulaziz Street, between King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre and Riyadh Airbase, before connecting with King Abdullah Road. 6 Purple Line 29.9 km (18.6 mi) 9 stations (3 common with Line 4) 3 stations The purple line runs in a half-ring from King Abdullah Financial District, passing Imam Mohamed Bin Saud University, and ending at Prince Saad Ibn Abdulrahman Al Awal Road. It is mostly elevated except along Sheikh Hasan Bin Husein Bin Ali Street. The project was originally led by Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, former governor of Riyadh and chairman of the Riyadh Development Authority, and is now led by Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the current governor of Riyadh. Riyadh Metro Overview Riyadh Metro Native Name: قطار الرياض Riyadh Metro Owner: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Riyadh Metro Locale: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Riyadh Metro Transit Type: Rapid Transit Riyadh Metro Number of Lines: 6 Riyadh Metro Line Number: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Riyadh Metro Number of Stations: 85 Riyadh Metro Began Operation: 1 December 2024; 0 days' time Riyadh Metro Character: Elevated & Underground Riyadh Metro Number of Vehicles: 586 cars Riyadh Metro Train Length: 2–4 coaches Riyadh Metro Headway: 7 to 3 minutes Riyadh Metro System Length: 176 km (109 mi) Riyadh Metro Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||||
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