Today, in a grand ceremony, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia officially announced the commencement of the Riyadh metro project, which will become the backbone of the public transportation network in Riyadh.
This project is not only a crucial part of the urban transport system, but it also serves as a key driver for making Riyadh a hub of business activities. The Riyadh metro, as part of the King Abdulaziz public transport plan, includes both metro and bus systems, forming the main framework of urban transportation.
During the ceremony, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remarked that the Riyadh metro is a fruit of the King's visionary leadership, originating during the time he served as the head of the Riyadh Development Authority.
The King also watched an introductory film about the project, showcasing its design concepts and high-end technology. The project will consist of a network including six metro lines, spanning 176 kilometers, with 85 stations, four of which will be major stations.
The total cost of the project's contracts reaches 84.4 billion Saudi Riyals, marking it as one of the largest transportation projects in the world that will effectively alleviate traffic congestion in Riyadh.
Once completed, the Riyadh metro will greatly enhance the city's mobility options, with an expected daily capacity of 1.7 million passengers. It stands as the largest metro project in the world to be implemented at once, with further lines expected to be launched in phases until the first quarter of 2025.
Once operational, the project is expected to reduce car trips by 2 million daily, which will help ease traffic congestion in Riyadh, projected to reach a population of 8.5 million in the next decade.
The project will also contribute to a reduction of carbon emissions by 400,000 tons annually.
