Metro train systems are useful as they are an efficient and reliable way to get around cities. They also help by decreasing traffic and pollution by reducing reliance on car transport.
It’s no wonder then that Saudi Arabia has spent billions on a new public transport system that is set to transform its capital city, Riyadh.
Aligning with Saudi’s “Vision 2030” initiative, launched by the government to achieve increased economic diversification and improve quality of life, the Riyadh Metro is part of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport.
The project will consist of six metro lines spanning a total length of 109 miles and is estimated to cost $22.5 billion (£17.8 billion) to build.
It is designed to serve an estimated 3.6 million residents, with projections indicating that it will reduce car trips in the city by nearly 250,000 each day, equivalent to 400,000 litres of fuel per day and thus reducing air pollutant emissions in the city.
Riyadh’s population of nearly 6 million is forecast to increase to 8 million by 2030 and so the new metro system is designed to meet the demands of a growing population.
Expected to highlight Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernity and advancing technology, each of its incredible 85 stations is notable for its modern high-tech design, incorporating energy efficient systems, modern architecture and advanced security and safety features. It will also use electric driverless trains.
“It’s also about image building, it shows that the country is progressive, it’s modern”, Yasser Elsheshtawy, professor of architecture at Columbia University, told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year.
The vehicles and stations are monitored by cameras, early warning systems and communication systems that are directly connected to the main control centre. The stations will use solar cells technology to save about 20% of the power required for air-conditioning and lighting.
Despite Saudi Arabia being under scrutiny on the international scene for human rights violations, Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salamn plans to turn that image around and make Riyadh an international business hub.
In an effort to better their international reputation, Saudi Arabia is set to host the World Expo 2030, welcoming tens of millions of tourists from 100 different countries, and is a likely front runner to host the 2034 World Cup. These events have placed Riyadh at the centre of international interest, attracting billions of dollars in investments for construction projects such as stadiums.
“When you look at all the mega-projects ongoing in Riyadh right now, they are not going to make sense whatsoever if there is no transportation network linking these developments together”, Esheshtawy explained.
“So it’s a crucial element in Saudi’s 2030 vision to have the metro open very soon.”
The Riyadh Metro network was originally set to open in 2019, an ambitious five years after construction started.
However, complications in the process and the harsh effects of the pandemic have delayed it. It is now expected to open in early 2025.