New Metro System Puts Riyadh on the Move

A new rapid transit system will help the exploding population of Riyadh move more quickly and efficiently in the Saudi Arabian capital. 

The system will extend across approximately 110 miles and includes 85 stations and six rail lines. It is the centerpiece of a public transportation system that will be integrated with an 85-mile bus line. The metro line is expected to serve 3.6 million passengers per day when it becomes fully operational and will reduce the number of car trips by 250,000 per day. Construction on the $22.5 billion project, which is just the second metro line in Saudi Arabia, started in 2014. 

“The sky is the limit for our ambition in Riyadh, and we anticipate doubling of the city’s population as well as doubling the size of the economy with the implementation of more than 18 giant projects,” Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh said in remarks reported by the Saudi Gazette. 

Growing City 

Riyadh has watched its population grow in the past 50 years. In 1970, its population stood at approximately 408,000, according to estimates provided by the United Nations. That is approximately the current of population of Minneapolis. 

Now, however, Riyadh rivals New York City. Its population of seven million is ranked 52nd in the world, only about one million less than NYC, and it is expected to surpass New York within the next decade. By 2030, Riyadh’s population could surpass 10 million. As its population soars, the nation has had to grapple with familiar problems, such as the infrastructure to move around the congested city. The new metro line will play a critical role in alleviating the city’s massive traffic issues.  

“Riyadh is already the epicenter of economic development in the country and the region,” Al-Rasheed said. “We have now the ambitious plan under Vision 2030 for doubling both our economy and population over the next 10 years.” 

Riyadh’s government leaders are ambitious for growth and having the infrastructure in place to support that is crucial. “All of Riyadh’s features set the groundwork for job creation, economic growth, investment, and many more opportunities,’’ Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said at the Future Investment Initiative in January. “We are, therefore, aiming to make Riyadh one of the 10 largest city economies in the world.” 

Network Details 

The metro network consists of six color-coded lines. The longest is the 25.3-mile Orange Line, which includes 20 stations and two interchange stations. More than six miles of the line is underground, and it will include 94 cars manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. 

A consortium of Bechtel, Almaban General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company, and Siemens — called BACS — designed and built the Blue and Red Lines of the project, accounting for 36% of the lines and 40% of the stations. 

BACS constructed the approximate 23.5-mile Blue Line, which has 22 stations and four interchanges, and the approximate 15.7-mile Red Line, which has 13 stations and three interchanges. The Blue Line runs in a North-South direction, while the Red Line travels from East to West.  

Siemens Mobility built 238 cars to be used on the lines. The cars from the Siemens Inspiro fleet have a capacity of 1,450 passengers per train with 256 seats and have a maximum speed of about 50 miles per hour. The driverless trains are fully automated and include an integrated automation system. The trains are also equipped with safety systems, such as obstruction sensors and a fire detection system. Auxiliary driver control desks at both end of the train enable manual operation in emergency cases and in the depot. They also include touchscreen displays. 

The trains meet NFPA 130/EN 45545 fire protection requirements and are designed with low maintenance costs, optimized energy consumption, and high recyclability at the end of their service life. 

The Red Line stretches across 15.7 miles, with the eight-mile Green Line running underground. The Purple Line extends across 18.6 miles and is mostly elevated and connects to the city’s financial district.  

The stations and interchanges are monitored by cameras, early warning systems, and communication systems. Many of the stations have shops and restaurants. They are also equipped with solar cells that contribute to generating 20% of the station’s electrical needs. The stations are also energy efficient, meet passenger needs, and architecturally appropriate for the region.  

Transforming Riyadh 

Saudi Arabia in a transformative stage. There are numerous goals, with one of the major ones being to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy. It also wants to develop public service sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, recreation, and tourism.  

The nation’s objectives are outlined in Vision 2030, a comprehensive mission statement that defines the strategies the nation will employ to meet its goals. 

“Our ambition is for the long term,’’ it says on the Vision 2030 website. “It goes beyond replenishing sources of income that have weakened or preserving what we have already achieved. We are determined to build a thriving country in which all citizens can fulfill their dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Therefore, we will not rest until our nation is a leader in providing opportunities for all through education and training, and high-quality services such as employment initiatives, health, housing, and entertainment.” 

Thomas Renner writes on building, construction, engineering, and other trade industry topics for publications throughout the U.S.