Riyadh metro opens all six lines

Riyadh (population 7M), the capital city of Saudi Arabia, has pulled off the stunning feat of expanding its metro system from nothing to six lines totalling 176km within three weeks. The first three automated metro lines (Blue, Red and Orange) were opened on 27 November and the second three (Yellow, Green and Purple) will follow in mid-December. The SAR 4.4bn (USD 22.5bn), 84-station project has been under construction since 2014 and is the longest automated metro system in the world. Alstom has supplied 69 metro trains, plus 47 ordered from Bombardier. Siemens has supplied 74 trains. 20% of the energy needed to run the system comes from solar panels; the trains are fitted with regenerative braking. The metro is a cornerstone project under Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the economy and modernising urban infrastructure. 

 

In a further move, contracts have been signed with CRRC for the construction of a 3.6km monorail loop around the financial district, including interchange with the new metro. Six automated trains will be supplied.