The driverless trains will cover 176km of ground (Image: Bechtel)
An £18 billion ($22.5 billion) completely driverless is set to open this weekend as part of to bolster tourism and diversify the economy.
The Riyadh Metro system, which was inaugurated by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Wednesday, is capable of transporting 3.6 million passengers per day, covering 109 miles (176 km) of ground.
Six fully automated metro lines will open in stages — the blue, yellow and purple lines will open first on December 1, the red and green lines will shortly follow on December 15, and the orange line will open on January 5.
The metro could boost potential tourism and the economy by connecting 85 stations including King Khalid International Airport, the financial district and downtown Riyadh.
Following the inauguration, Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said on X it reflects the “leadership’s commitment during this prosperous era to enhancing Riyadh’s infrastructure and raising the quality of life in the city”.
The Riyadh Metro map (Image: Royal Commission of Riyadh City)
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He added: “This aligns with the goals of #SaudiVision2030, further establishing the city’s position as a tourist destination that attracts visitors from around the world.”
The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport is part of the city plan to provide all population groups with suitable public transport services, accommodating “existing and future mobility needs”.
The metro is the centrepiece of the development, but there will also be 80 bus routes throughout the city with 2,860 bus stops.
Vision 2030 is part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to bolster its tourism offer and diversify the economy, society and culture.
The Riyadh Metro will make the city more connected, leaving a positive impact on the future experience of visitors to Riyadh.
— Expo 2030 Riyadh (@Expo2030Riyadh)
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This includes megaprojects such as NEOM, a zero-carbon community for residents and visitors on the coastline of the Red Sea in northwest Saudi Arabia.
Tourist numbers surged by 27% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to a 14% increase during the same period last year, according to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb in May.
The metro project was delivered by the BACS consortium, which includes Bechtel, Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company and Siemens.
There will be four key stations across the city (Image: Getty)