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Riyadh Metro

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Riyadh Metro
Top: Interior of a Siemens Inspiro, used on Lines 1 and 2 of the Riyadh Metro Bottom: Interior of the KAFD metro station
Top: Interior of a Siemens Inspiro, used on Lines 1 and 2 of the Riyadh Metro
Bottom: Interior of the KAFD metro station
Overview
Native nameقطار الرياض
OwnerThe Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)
LocaleRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
Transit typeRapid Transit
Number of lines6
Line number 1   2   3   4   5   6 
Number of stations85
Websiterpt.sa/en/
Operation
Began operation1 December 2024; 21 days ago (2024-12-01)
CharacterElevated & Underground
Number of vehicles586 cars
Train length2–4 coaches
Headway3 to 7 minutes
Technical
System length176 km (109 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Riyadh Metro (Arabic: قطار الرياض, romanized: Qiṭār Ar-riyāḍ, Najdi Arabic pronunciation: [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.[1]

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 Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro 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.[2]

History

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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]

Consortia

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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 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

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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

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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]

Lines

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The Riyadh Metro consists of six lines, each assigned a unique color and number, and spans 176 kilometres (109 mi).[17][better source needed]

Line Code Line Name Line Length No. of stations Termini Map
 1  Blue Line 38 km (24 mi) 24 SAB Bank

Ad Dar Al Baida

 2  Red Line 25.3 km (15.7 mi) 14 King Saud University

King Fahad Sport City

 3  Orange Line 40.7 km (25.3 mi) 21 Jeddah Road

Khashm Al An

 4  Yellow Line 29.6 km (18.4 mi) 9 Airport T1-2

KAFD

 5  Green Line 12.9 km (8.0 mi) 11 Ministry of Education

National Museum

 6  Purple Line 29.9 km (18.6 mi) 9 KAFD

As Salam

Sources: [18]

Future

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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

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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

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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

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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 Metro Station

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Main article: KAFD (Riyadh Metro)
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Rolling stock

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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]
  • Bombardier (later Alstom) will deliver 47 two-car Innovia Metro 300 trainsets for Line 3.[28]
  • 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]
Line Code Line Name Consortium[31] Formation & Number built EMU/Fleet Manufacturers
 1  Blue Line BACS 45 four-car trainsets (180 cars) Inspiro Siemens
 2  Red Line 29 two-car trainsets (58 cars)
 3  Orange Line ANM 47 two-car trainsets (94 cars) Innovia Metro 300 Bombardier/Alstom
 4  Yellow Line FAST 69 two-car trainsets (138 cars) Metropolis Alstom
 5  Green Line
 6  Purple Line

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "World's longest driverless metro with 109-mile connectivity opens in Riyadh". MSN. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  2. ^ "Riyadh Metro, Saudi Arabia". Railway Technology. 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  3. ^ "Three bidders shortlisted for Riyadh Metro project". International Railway Journal. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Riyadh metro construction contracts awarded". Railway Gazette International. 29 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Groundbreaking ceremony launches construction of Riyadh metro". Railway Gazette International. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Infrastructure Projects". Nesma & Partners. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Riyadh metro project prequalification begins". Railway Gazette International. 18 May 2012.
  8. ^ "AVK fire hydrants in Riyadh Metro – AVK Group". www.avkvalves.com (in Danish). Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  9. ^ "الأمير فيصل بن بندر يرأس الاجتماع الـ 12 للجنة العليا للإشراف على تنفيذ مشروع الملك عبدالعزيز للنقل العام بمدينة الرياض | قطار الرياض".
  10. ^ "Riyadh metro mega-project to be fully operational by end of 2021 – The soft opening of the metro will be in 2019". The National. UAE. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Riyadh Metro project more than 90%c completed". Zawya. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  12. ^ "King inaugurates Riyadh Metro ahead of public opening". November 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "All aboard: Riyadh Metro kicks off first phase operations". al-Arabiya. December 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Saudi Arabia inaugurates Riyadh Metro". 2024-11-28. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  15. ^ "Saudi's new Riyadh Metro sees almost 2 million passengers hop aboard in first week". Al Arabiya English. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  16. ^ Saudi princes accused of bribery, embezzlement, money laundering: official, November 6, 2017, Reuters
  17. ^ "King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport". Saudi Arabia Railway and Public Transport Commission. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  18. ^ "Public transport lines". Riyadh Metro.
  19. ^ "Saudi Arabia tenders Riyadh Metro Line 7". MEED. 18 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Saudi Binyah secures 193M Diriyah Gate Riyadh Metro excavation contract". 3 April 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Alstom delivers first metro trainset to Riyadh". Zawya. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Saudi authority receives bids to name 10 Riyadh Metro stations". Construction Week Online. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Arriyadh Development Authority". www.ada.gov.sa. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  24. ^ "Olaya Metro Station – Gerber Architekten". Gerber Architekten. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  25. ^ "Riyadh Metro Western Station by Omrania". Architizer. 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  26. ^ "بسبب العبث بمقابض الطوارئ .. قطار الرياض يعلق جزئياً الخدمة في مساره الأزرق". AlArabiya (in Arabic). 7 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  27. ^ a b "First Riyadh metro trainset unveiled by Siemens". Railway Gazette International. 23 February 2016.
  28. ^ "INNOVIA Metro 300 – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Bombardier Transportation. Archived from the original on 2017-11-29.
  29. ^ Gupta, Akanksha (August 3, 2023). "Riyadh Metro, Saudi Arabia". Railway Technology. Verdict Media. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Alstom awarded a turnkey metro project by the city of Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". 29 July 2013.
  31. ^ RiyadhMetro. "Project Overview | Riyadh Metro". Retrieved 2020-10-18.
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