Riyadh Metro
{{Short description|Rapid transit system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}}
{{Infobox public transit
| box_width =
| name = Riyadh Metro
| image = Riyadh Metro Logo.svg
| imagesize = 218px
| image2 = {{multiple image
| total_width = 270
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| perrow = 1/2
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Riyadh Metro - innoTrans 2016.jpg
| caption1 = Metro Interior
| image2 = KAFD Station 2025.jpg
| caption2 = KAFD station
| image3 = Qasr Al Hokm Station 2025.jpg
| caption3 = Qasr Al-Hokm station
}}
| caption3 = Top: Interior of a Siemens Inspiro, used on Lines 1 and 2 of the Riyadh Metro
Bottom: Interior of the KAFD metro station
| native_name = {{lang|ar|قطار الرياض}}
| owner = The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)
| area served =
| locale = Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| transit_type = Rapid Transit
| lines = 6
| line_number = {{rint|riyadh|1}} {{rint|riyadh|2}} {{rint|riyadh|3}} {{rint|riyadh|4}} {{rint|riyadh|5}} {{rint|riyadh|6}}
| start =
| end =
| stations = 85
| daily_ridership =
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| headquarters =
| operator =
| marks =
| host =
| character = Elevated & Underground
| vehicles = 586 cars
| train_length = 2–4 coaches
| headway = 3 to 7 minutes
| system_length = {{convert|176|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| notrack =
| track_gauge = {{track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| minimum_radius_of_curvature =
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| map_state = collapsed
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| began_operation = {{Start date and age|2024|12|01|df=yes}}
| website = {{URL|https://rpt.sa/en/}}
}}
The Riyadh Metro ({{langx|ar|قطار الرياض|Qiṭār Ar-riyāḍ}}, {{IPA|ars|gɪ.ˈtˤaːr ər.rɪ.ˈjaːðˤ}}) is a rapid transit system serving Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Part of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, it is the longest driverless metro in the world.
The system consists of six lines connecting 85 stations spanning a combined length of 176 kilometers (109 mi). This is the second metro system in Saudi Arabia, after the Sacred Sites Train Line in Mecca, the fourth on the Arabian Peninsula, sixth in the Arab World, and fifteenth in the Middle East. The project cost $22.5 billion to build.{{cite news |author= |date=2023-08-03 |title=Riyadh Metro, Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/riyadh-metro-saudi-arabia/?cf-view |access-date=2024-04-11 |work=Railway Technology |location=}}
It was opened on December 1, 2024.{{cite web |title=World's longest driverless metro with 109-mile connectivity opens in Riyadh |website=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/worlds-longest-driverless-metro-with-109-mile-connectivity-opens-in-riyadh/ss-AA1v84jf |access-date=2024-12-07}}
History
In June 2013, a shortlist of three major global consortia was chosen to build the metro.{{cite journal |url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/three-consortia-shortlisted-for-riyadh-metro-project.html?channel=539 |title=Three bidders shortlisted for Riyadh Metro project | journal=International Railway Journal |date=11 June 2013 |access-date=9 June 2013}} Contracts were awarded in July 2013, with construction planned to start in 2014 and take 4 years.{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/riyadh-metro-construction-contracts-awarded.html |title=Riyadh metro construction contracts awarded |journal=Railway Gazette International |date=29 July 2013}} The groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on April 4, 2014.{{cite journal |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/groundbreaking-ceremony-launches-construction-of-riyadh-metro/39378.article |title=Groundbreaking ceremony launches construction of Riyadh metro |journal=Railway Gazette International |date=11 April 2014 |access-date=17 August 2014}} It was built by construction companies including Bechtel, Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company, Strukton, Webuild, Larsen & Toubro, Samsung C&T, and Nesma.{{cite web |title=Infrastructure Projects |url=https://www.nesmapartners.com/infrastructure-projects |website=Nesma & Partners |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817175505/https://www.nesmapartners.com/infrastructure-projects |archive-date=17 August 2023}}
= Consortia =
BACS: Bechtel / Almabani / CCC / Siemens
ANM (Arriyadh New Mobility): Webuild (at the time of signature, Impregilo, then Salini-Impregilo) / Bombardier / Ansaldo / Larsen & Toubro / Nesma & Partners / WorleyParsons / IDOM
FAST: FCC / Atkins / Alstom / Samsung C&T / Strukton / TYPSA (Tecnica Y Proyectos)
The new project is expected to be the centerpiece of the city's public transport system, integrated with an {{convert|85|km|adj=on}} three-line bus rapid transit (BRT) network.{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban-rail/single-view/view/riyadh-metro-project-prequalification-begins.html |title=Riyadh metro project prequalification begins |journal=Railway Gazette International | date=18 May 2012}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.avkvalves.com/en/cases/avk-supply-fire-hydrants-to-upcoming-riyadh-metro|title=AVK fire hydrants in Riyadh Metro – AVK Group|website=www.avkvalves.com|language=da|access-date=2018-06-23}}
In February 2018, Riyadh governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar stated that 68% of the project had been finished and that the metro would start demo runs in late September 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://riyadhmetro.sa/ar/meeting-12/|title=الأمير فيصل بن بندر يرأس الاجتماع الـ 12 للجنة العليا للإشراف على تنفيذ مشروع الملك عبدالعزيز للنقل العام بمدينة الرياض | قطار الرياض}} In March 2018, the Saudi economy minister Mohammad Al Tuwaijri commented at the Saudi-UK CIO Forum in London that a soft opening was planned for 2019 (June–August) and the full availability of the system was expected in 2021.{{cite web|title=Riyadh metro mega-project to be fully operational by end of 2021 – The soft opening of the metro will be in 2019|url=https://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-and-tourism/riyadh-metro-mega-project-to-be-fully-operational-by-2021-1.711522| newspaper=The National |date=8 March 2018| location=UAE |access-date=14 March 2018}} In December 2021, it was announced that more than 90% of the project had been completed, with testing well underway.{{cite web |url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/business/story/Riyadh_Metro_project_more_than_90c_completed-SNG_271760239/ |title=Riyadh Metro project more than 90%c completed |publisher=Zawya |date=21 December 2021 |access-date=22 December 2021}}
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.
= Opening of metro =
The Riyadh Metro was inaugurated by King Salman on 27 November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/king-inaugurates-riyadh-metro-ahead-of-public-opening/67903.article|title=King inaugurates Riyadh Metro ahead of public opening|date=November 28, 2024}} The opening of the metro system – featuring lines 1, 4, and 6 – took place on 1 December 2024.{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2024 |title=All aboard: Riyadh Metro kicks off first phase operations |website=al-Arabiya |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/2024/12/01/all-aboard-riyadh-metro-kicks-off-first-phase-operations }} Lines 2 and 5 were opened two weeks later on 15 December with the final line – line 3 – opening on 5 January 2025.{{cite web|url=https://economymiddleeast.com/news/saudi-arabia-inaugurates-riyadh-metro/|title=Saudi Arabia inaugurates Riyadh Metro|date= 2024-11-28|access-date=2024-11-29}} On 11 December 2024, it was reported that the metro had garnered 1.9 million passengers in the first week of operation.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=Saudi's new Riyadh Metro sees almost 2 million passengers hop aboard in first week |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2024/12/11/saudi-s-new-riyadh-metro-sees-almost-2-million-passengers-hop-aboard-in-first-week |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}} By early January 2025, the metro system was confirmed to be fully operational after the launch of the Orange Line (Line 3).{{Cite web |last=Al Amir |first=Khitam |date=2025-01-05 |title=World's longest driverless train system now fully operational in Saudi Arabia |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-launches-worlds-longest-driverless-train-system-1.500010903 |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}
= 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.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-arrests-accusations/saudi-princes-accused-of-bribery-embezzlement-money-laundering-official-idUSKBN1D516P Saudi princes accused of bribery, embezzlement, money laundering: official], November 6, 2017, Reuters
{{clear}}
Lines
File:Riyadh Metro Network Map.svg
The Riyadh Metro consists of six lines, each assigned a unique color and number, and spans {{Convert|176|km|mi}}.{{Cite web |title=King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport |url=https://www.rcrc.gov.sa/en/projects/king-abdulaziz-project-for-riyadh-public-transport |accessdate=2024-12-07 |website=Saudi Arabia Railway and Public Transport Commission}}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS, WP:Primary Source).|date=November 2024}}
| class="wikitable"
! Number ! Line name ! Line length ! No. of stations !Termini |
| align=center
|{{rint|riyadh|1}} | style="color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#00AEE6" |Blue Line | {{convert|38|km|abbr=on}} | 25 |SAB Bank ↔ Ad Dar Al-Baida |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|2}} | style="color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#EF4838" |Red Line | {{convert|25.3|km|abbr=on}} | 15 |King Saud University ↔ King Fahd Sports City |
| align=center
|{{rint|riyadh|3}} | style="color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#F68D38" |Orange Line | {{convert|40.7|km|abbr=on}} | 22 |Jeddah Road ↔ Khashm Al-An |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|4}} | style="color:#000000; background-color:#FED00B" | Yellow Line | {{convert|29.6|km|abbr=on}} | 9 |Airport T1-2 ↔ KAFD |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|5}} | style="color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#42B649" | Green Line | {{convert|12.9|km|abbr=on}} | 12 |Ministry of Education ↔ National Museum |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|6}} | style="color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#984B9D" | Purple Line | {{convert|29.9|km|abbr=on}} | 11 |KAFD ↔ An Naseem |
| colspan="5" |Sources: {{Cite web |title=Public transport lines |url=https://www.riyadhbus.sa/en/web/guest/lines |access-date= |website=Riyadh Metro}} |
Future
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.{{cite news|url= https://www.meed.com/saudi-arabia-tenders-riyadh-metro-line-7|title=Saudi Arabia tenders Riyadh Metro Line 7|work=MEED |date=18 September 2024 }}
=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.{{cite web|url= https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/saudi-binyah-secures-193mn-diriyah-gate-riyadh-metro-excavation-contract|title=Saudi Binyah secures 193M Diriyah Gate Riyadh Metro excavation contract|date=3 April 2024 }}
Stations
The system consists of 85 stations, including a number of interchange stations. 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-48880-saudi-authority-receives-bids-to-name-10-riyadh-metro-stations|title=Saudi authority receives bids to name 10 Riyadh Metro stations|date=5 April 2018|work=Construction Week Online|access-date=6 April 2018}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ada.gov.sa/ADA_e/DocumentShow_e/?url=/res/ADA/En/Projects/RiyadhMetro/index.html|title=Arriyadh Development Authority|website=www.ada.gov.sa|access-date=2018-06-23}}
= KAFD Metro Station =
{{Main|KAFD (Riyadh Metro)}}
File:KAFD Station - Riyadh Metro.jpg
The KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District) station covers an area of {{Cvt|8150|m2}}. 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.
= National Museum Station =
{{Main|National Museum (Riyadh Metro)}}
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.
= STC Station =
{{Main|STC (Riyadh Metro)}}
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 {{Cvt|97000|m2}}. 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.gerberarchitekten.de/en/project/olaya-metro-station/|title=Olaya Metro Station – Gerber Architekten|work=Gerber Architekten|access-date=2018-06-23|language=en-US}}
= Western Metro Station =
The station covers an area of {{Cvt|12500|m2}}. 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.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-19 |title=Riyadh Metro Western Station by Omrania |url=https://architizer.com/projects/riyadh-metro-western-station-1/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Architizer |language=en-us}}
= Qasr Al-Hokm Metro Station =
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 between STC and Alinma Bank Stations. Riyadh Metro said that shuttle buses were deployed between the two to avoid further disruption.{{Cite web |date=7 December 2024 |title=بسبب العبث بمقابض الطوارئ .. قطار الرياض يعلق جزئياً الخدمة في مساره الأزرق |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/saudi-today/2024/12/06/بسبب-العبث-بمقابض-الطوارئ-قطار-الرياض-يعلق-جزئياً-الخدمة-في-مساره-الأزرق- |access-date=21 December 2024 |website=AlArabiya |language=ar-sa}}
Infrastructure
= Rolling stock =
File:Nordwestbahnhof Wien 2017 0915 U-Bahn für Riad.jpg, Vienna, Austria]]
- Siemens is supplying 45 4-car Inspiro trainsets for Line 1 and 29 2-car sets for Line 2.{{cite news | url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/first-riyadh-metro-trainset-unveiled-by-siemens.html | title=First Riyadh metro trainset unveiled by Siemens | date=23 February 2016 |work=Railway Gazette International}} The first was unveiled in Vienna on 23 February 2016.
- Bombardier (later Alstom) will deliver 47 two-car Innovia Metro 300 trainsets for Line 3.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.INNOVIA-Metro-Riyadh.html |title=INNOVIA Metro 300 – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |website=Bombardier Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129120855/http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.INNOVIA-Metro-Riyadh.html |archive-date=2017-11-29 |url-status=dead}}
- Alstom will deliver 69 Metropolis train sets for line 4, 5 and 6 of the Riyadh Metro.{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Akanksha |title=Riyadh Metro, Saudi Arabia |url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/-riyadh-metro-saudi-arabia/ |website=Railway Technology |publisher=Verdict Media |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=August 3, 2023}}{{cite web | url=http://www.alstom.com/press-centre/2013/7/alstom-awarded-a-turnkey-metro-project-by-the-city-of-riyadh-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/|title=Alstom awarded a turnkey metro project by the city of Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|date= 29 July 2013}} 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.{{cite web|title=Alstom delivers first metro trainset to Riyadh|url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Alstom_delivers_first_metro_trainset_to_Riyadh-ZAWYA20170310042825/|website=Zawya|access-date=12 March 2017}}
| class="wikitable"
! Line Code ! Line Name ! Formation & Number built ! EMU/Fleet ! Manufacturers |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|1}} | Blue Line | rowspan="2" | BACS | 45 four-car trainsets (180 cars) | rowspan="2" | Inspiro | rowspan="2" | Siemens |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|2}} | Red Line | 29 two-car trainsets (58 cars) |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|3}} | Orange Line | ANM | 47 two-car trainsets (94 cars) | Innovia Metro 300 |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|4}} | Yellow Line | rowspan="3" | FAST | rowspan="3" | 69 two-car trainsets (138 cars) | rowspan="3" | Metropolis | rowspan="3" | Alstom |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|5}} | Green Line |
| align=center
| {{rint|riyadh|6}} | Purple Line |
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|Riyadh Metro}}
- [https://www.rcrc.gov.sa/en/projects/king-abdulaziz-project-for-riyadh-public-transport Riyadh Metro page on the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Website]
{{Riyadh Metro}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}
{{Rail transport in Saudi Arabia}}
{{Rapid transit in Asia}}
Category:2021 establishments in Saudi Arabia
Category:Rapid transit in Saudi Arabia
Category:Proposed rail infrastructure in Saudi Arabia