Rail in Riyadh: Transforming a Car-Centric City

The city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is typically characterised by sprawling highways and a heavy reliance on private cars. However, in recent years, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has commenced a transformative shift towards mass transport.

The Riyadh Metro

The Riyadh Metro is central to the city’s transport transformation. Launched in December 2024, the service is helping to redefine urban mobility in the capital, offering a fast, efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to car travel.

The network consists of six lines spanning over 176 kilometres and connecting 85 stations, which integrate with bus networks and taxi services. The service offers modern, air-conditioned stations and vehicles, smart ticketing systems and real-time digital journey planning.

In August this year, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City celebrated serving 100 million passengers on the network, highlighting the successful uptake of ridership in the first 9 months of service. Passenger data showed that the Blue Line, running along the Olaya Road axis, had been the busiest, carrying around 46.5 million people. Meanwhile, the Red Line, serving King Abdullah Road, carried about 17 million passengers, while the Orange Line along Madinah Road carried 12 million.

Aiding this success, the metro recorded a punctuality rate of 99.78 percent since the start of operations, making it a reliable and effective transportation option for both visitors and residents.

Metro Extensions

To further extend the reach of the city’s Metro network, several expansion projects are currently underway. Earlier this year, a contract to extend Line 2 was awarded to the Arriyadh New Mobility Consortium, which consists of Webuild, Larsen & Toubro, Nesma & Partners, Hitachi, Ansaldo STS, Bombardier, Idom and WorleyParsons. Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC), comprised of Parsons, Egis and Systra, will supervise the extension work.

The Line 2 extension will span an additional 8.4 kilometres, with 1.3 kilometres of elevated line and 7.1 kilometres underground. It will serve 5 new stations: KSU Medical City, KSU West, Diriyah East, Diriyah Central and Diriyah South. The new Diriyah Central will also serve as an interchange with the planned Line 7.

The construction of the new Line 7 is currently in the planning and tendering stages. The line is expected to be 65 kilomtres long with 19 stations, 14 of which will be underground. It will link Qiddiya Entertainment City, King Abdullah International Gardens, King Salman Park, New Murabba, Misk City, and Diriyah Gate. The current tender for its design and build runs until 30 November.

Qiddiya High-Speed Rail

In addition to expanding its urban rail network, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City is also developing a high-speed rail line connecting King Salman International Airport, the King Abdullah Financial District, and Qiddiya City at speeds up to 250km/h. The end-to-end travel time between those points is expected to be approximately 30 minutes.

In September, 2025, the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase for this project was launched in collaboration with the National Center for Privatisation & PPP and Qiddiya Investment Company.

Existing Rail Networks

These new developments complement long-standing rail services in Saudi Arabia, such as the East Train service between Riyadh and Dammam, which has been operating since 1981 and remains one of Saudi Arabia’s busiest intercity routes. Managed by the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), the line spans around 450 kilometres and connects Riyadh with Al-Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dammam.

To improve service quality and increase capacity on this line, SAR has recently invested in fleet modernisation. In 2024, Stadler signed a contract to supply ten new FLIRT Intercity trains, designed specifically for the Riyadh–Dammam corridor. These trains will enhance passenger comfort with modern interiors, higher seating capacity and advanced safety systems, while also reducing travel times and boosting operational efficiency.

Alongside the East Train, the North-South Railway (the world’s longest continuous line at nearly 2,750 kilometres) connects Riyadh to the northern mining regions and extends towards Al-Haditha near the Jordanian border. This line provides links between Riyadh, Majmaah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf and Qurayyat.

Together, these established intercity routes and the planned rail expansions position Riyadh and Saudi Arabia as pacesetters in advancing rail infrastructure.This drive aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to modernise infrastructure, reduce congestion and promote sustainable urban growth.

Challenges

Notably, constructing rail links in Riyadh’s desert environment has not been without challenges. Engineers have had to innovate solutions for extreme heat, sandy soil and sprawling urban layouts.

For instance, the Riyadh Metro required the installation of specialised cooling and ventilation systems in both trains and stations to maintain comfort in summer temperatures, which often exceed 45°C. Similarly, construction crews had to continuously manage sand infiltration during tunnelling works, with tunnel boring machines equipped with pressurised shields to stabilise loose soil.

The city’s wide highways and car-centric development also posed engineering hurdles. Building the Blue Line along Olaya Road involved deep underground excavation beneath one of Riyadh’s busiest commercial corridors, requiring traffic diversions and careful coordination to minimise disruption..

Encouraging Modal Shift

Overall, Riyadh’s investment in mass transit demonstrates that even cities long dominated by private car use can transform mobility patterns. The rapid uptake of the Riyadh Metro, the ongoing expansion of its lines, and the planned Qiddiya High-Speed Rail illustrate the ambition and the practical progress of the city’s transport strategy.

Looking ahead, the long-term success of Riyadh’s transport transformation will require further integration with buses, pedestrian pathways and park-and-ride facilities, creating an accessible and sustainable network that encourages residents to leave their cars behind.

Through these developments, Riyadh offers a compelling model for other rapidly growing, car-dependent cities seeking to modernise their urban mobility in line with global sustainability goals.