The long-awaited Riyadh Metro will launch later this year, according to a government minister in Saudi Arabia.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al Jasser confirmed previous announcements by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City saying that the mass transport network will be operational in 2024.
The project, with a reported $22.5bn budget, is the world’s largest metro network constructed in a single phase and will be a major development in the city said Al Jasser.
In an interview with Al Arabiya Business Saleh Al Jasser said: “The city of Riyadh is witnessing a significant surge and major projects in this prosperous era.”
Riyadh Metro is part of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s city plan to equip the city with public transport that will provide all population groups with suitable public transport services, accommodating existing and future mobility needs.
The Royal Commission website says the “Metro Project is the backbone of the public transport network in Riyadh, capable of transporting 1.2m passengers a day in its first phase, and potentially 3.6m passengers at a full-scale realisation.
“With six lines at a total length of 176 km and 84 metro stations, the metro network will cover most of the densely populated areas, public facilities, and the educational, commercial, and medical institutions.
“The network will be connected to King Khalid International Airport and King Abdullah Financial District, the main universities, downtown Riyadh, and the public transport centre”.
Plans for the Metro include:
- Blue line: Axis of Al-Olaya – Al-Batha – Al-Hayer roads, with a total length of 38km
- Red line: Axis of King Abdullah Road, with a total length of 25.3km
- Orange line: Axis of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road – Prince Saad Bin Abdurrahman I Road, with a total length of 40.7km
- Yellow line: Axis of King Khalid International Airport Road, with a total length of 29.6km
- Green line: Axis of King Abdulaziz Road, with a total length of 12.9km
- Violet line: Axis of Abdurrahman Bin Awf Road – Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussain Bin Ali Road, with a total length of 30km
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