Riyadh Metro complete and operational with launch of orange line

The Riyadh Metro’s orange line began operations on Sunday, marking the completion of the phased roll-out of its entire six-line network, as the city works on developing its urban infrastructure.

The east-west line extends from Jeddah Road to the Second Eastern Ring Road, running parallel to Khashm Al Aan in the east, covering a total distance of 41km, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City said.

The commission also announced the opening of three new stations on the blue line: Al Murooj, Bank Al Bilad, and King Fahad Library.

“The operationalisation of all six lines of the Riyadh Metro network will improve connectivity across the capital and ease travel for both residents and visitors,” the commission said.

The driverless metro network's operations were launched at the end of November, starting with the blue, yellow, and purple lines on December 1, followed by the red and green lines.

It now has six lines and 85 stations across 176km, connecting key areas, including business districts and cultural landmarks.

The Riyadh metro offers various fare options, including a two-hour pass priced at 4 Saudi riyals ($1), a three-day pass priced at 20 riyals, a seven-day pass costing 40 riyals and a 30-day pass at 140 riyals, according to the website of Riyadh Public Transport.

The metro transport network aims to keep up with Riyadh's growing population, which is expected to reach 15 to 20 million by 2030, from 7.5 million last year. It will include 80 bus routes, passing through 2,860 stops with 842 buses.

The metro is expected to enhance the value of commercial and residential real estate in the Saudi capital, especially in areas where it is immediately accessible.

Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy, continues to introduce large projects to support its ambitious goals as it prepares for the economy of the future, underpinned by substantial infrastructure backed by technology.

The kingdom is set to host a series of major events in the future, including, the Asian Winter Games 2029, Expo 2030 and the Fifa World Cup 2034.

The completion of the Riyadh Metro comes as Middle Eastern governments increasingly focus on enhancing urban mobility to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve economic growth.

Riyadh topped the list of cities with the most traffic congestion in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2023, with drivers losing about 87 hours annually, Statista said in a report last year. Cairo followed closely with 72 hours and Sharjah reported 44 hours of traffic delays.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of which have seen substantial population growth over the past decade, are expected to invest nearly $50 billion in smart city projects by 2025, Frost & Sullivan said in a 2023 report. They are investing heavily in boosting urban infrastructure, including public transport.

Dubai, which launched its metro network in 2009, awarded a Dh20.5 billion ($5.6 billion) contract to build the Metro blue line. The line will cover 30km and have 14 stations. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2029, with construction set to start in April.

The UAE and Oman are also developing a railway line known as Hafeet Rail, a joint venture between Mubadala, Oman Rail and Etihad Rail. It will link the UAE with the Port of Sohar.