In June 2013, a shortlist of three major global consortia was chosen to build the metro.[3] Contracts were awarded in July 2013, with construction planned to start in 2014 and take 4 years.[4] The groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on April 4, 2014.[5] It was built by construction companies including Bechtel, Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company, Strukton, Webuild, Larsen & Toubro, Samsung C&T, and Nesma.[6]
The new project is expected to be the centerpiece of the city's public transport system, integrated with an 85-kilometre (53 mi) three-line bus rapid transit (BRT) network.[7] The project will contribute to reducing the number of car trips by nearly 250 thousand trips a day, equivalent to 400 thousand liters of fuel per day, thus reducing the air pollutant emissions in the city. It is expected that the capacity of the project will reach 3.6 million passengers a day.[8]
In February 2018, Riyadh governor, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, stated that 68% of the project has been finished and that the metro will start demo runs in late September 2018.[9] 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.[10] In December 2021, it was announced that more than 90% of the project had been completed, with testing well underway.[11]
The project was originally led by Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,[7] 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.
Opening of metro
Riyadh metro was inaugurated by King Salman on 27 November 2024.[12] The opening of the metro system – featuring lines 1, 4, and 6 – took place on 1 December 2024.[13] Lines 2 and 5 were opened two weeks later on 15 December with the final line – line 3 – opening on 5 January 2025.[14] On 11 December 2024, it was reported that the metro has garnered 1.9 million passengers in the first week of operation.[15]
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.[16]
In a podcast the head of the Riyadh Metro stated that there are future plans for the expansion of the Riyadh Metro towards Khuzam and Fursan Suburbs, Badr and Shafa District.
Line 7
Line 7 is a proposed line set to link all King Khalid International Airport terminals down to Qiddiya, the line will pass through Misk City, New Muraaba, Diriyah and King Abdullah International Gardens.[19]
Expansion of Line 2
A proposed expansion to Line 2 is to cover the western side of King Saud University, possibly the Diplomatic Quarter and end it at Diriyah where some stations already began construction.[20]
Stations
The system consists of 85 stations, including a number of interchange stations.[21] Naming rights for 15 out of the 85 stations are planned to be awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. These rights include space for shops and advertising within the stations.[22]
The vehicles and stations are monitored by cameras, early warning systems, and communication systems that are directly connected to the main control center. The main stations are characterized by monorail sites designed in several levels. These sites are air-conditioned, taking into account the comfort and safety of passengers. The stations also use solar cells technology to save about 20% of the power required for air-conditioning and lighting.[23]
KAFD station with the Financial District in the background
The KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District) station covers an area of 8,150 m2 (87,700 sq ft). The station is located east of the Financial District, along King Fahd Road near its intersection with the Northern Ring Road. It connects metro lines 1, 4, 6, and the KAFD's monorail. The station is designed by Zaha Hadid Architects from the UK.[23]
National Museum Station
National Museum Station is the second largest and one of the most iconic stations on the Riyadh Metro. As one of the four transfer stations on Line 1, National Museum Station is where Line 1 and Line 5 meet. The station is located in the Al Batha area of Riyadh. The gross floor area (GFA) of the station itself is about 72'000 m2.
The station's external envelope is designed to replicate Saudi Arabia's mountainous region, with a unique double skin facade, internal blue panels replicating the sky and external concrete panels through which the blue can be seen, to represent the mountains. The station is unique in that it also has a new bus terminal adjacent, the design of which is to replicate a Bedouin tent.[citation needed]
STC Station
STC Metro station is one of the four main transportation stations in the Riyadh Metro. Gerber Architekten won the competition for the metro station in 2012. It was originally planned to be named Olaya Metro station. Construction started in 2014 and was planned to be completed in 2019. This station allows access for Line 1 and Line 2 trains. The gross floor area (GFA) is about 97,000 m2 (1,040,000 sq ft). It is located on the intersection of King Abdullah Road with King Fahad Road and Olaya Street. Its design proposes the idea of Public gardens that extend over the entire area of the station. Metro customers are invited to use the public gardens. The gardens are characterized by palm trees erected on top of the station, designated picnic areas, and WiFi coverage. Stairs, lifts, and escalators connect all the levels allowing access to everyone including people with special needs. There is also a public parking located underneath the plaza. Recently the initial plan has been changed and no longer features gardens on the roof and is now rectangular in shape though it still has all the other features. In 2018, the station was named STC station after the Saudi Telecom Company.[24]
Western Metro Station
The station covers an area of 12,500 m2 (135,000 sq ft). The station is located on the land currently used for the Central Vegetable Market of Al-Suwaidi Al-Gharbi. The station will be composed of a bus route and a link to Line 3. Omrania & Associates has won the competition to design the western metro station.[23][25]
Qasr Al-Hukm Metro Station
This station covers an area of 19,600 m2 (211,000 sq ft) and will connect Line 1 and Line 3 trains. Snøhetta from Norway had won the competition to design the Qasr Al-Hukm Metro Station.[23]
Incidents and accidents
Just 6 days after the Riyadh Metro opened, the Blue Line faced some technical issues after someone tampered with the emergency switch on the train, causing the line to halt.[23][26]
Infrastructure
Rolling stock
Riyadh Metro Blue Line and Red Line train at the Northwest Railway Station in Brigittenau, Vienna, Austria
Siemens is supplying 45 4-car Inspiro trainsets for Line 1 and 29 2-car sets for Line 2.[27] The first was unveiled in Vienna on 23 February 2016.[27]
Alstom will deliver 69 Metropolis train sets for line 4, 5 and 6 of the Riyadh Metro.[29][30] The first trainset was handed over to the ADA in March 2017. Each trainset is 36 meters long and can accommodate a maximum of 231 passengers. Trains are split into three classes – first, family, and single class – separated by glass partitions.[21]
