“Please get on board”… Riyadh’s futuristic metro, the backbone of the Saudi capital’s public transport system, was officially handed over to the public on Sunday.

The network includes six fully automated (self-driving) metro lines, 85 stations and 176 kilometers of new track, making it the largest self-driving public transport project in the world.

Designed to carry 3.6 million passengers daily, the metro is expected to reduce Riyadh’s traffic by 30%, according to the Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh (RCRC).

The excitement among Riyadh residents was palpable on the metro’s first day, with hundreds turning up eager to experience the inaugural ride.

“My first ride was smooth sailing. Many of my family members, many of my colleagues are looking forward to their metro rides,” said Abdullah al-Faleh, a 24-year-old resident of Riyadh, speaking from the King Abdullah Financial District flagship station. The station is one of the four main hubs of the metro, designed by the architectural office of the famous Zaha Hadid.

“This will facilitate Riyadh’s notorious traffic. This is truly an amazing day,” al-Faleh told Al Arabiya English.

By Ali Lajami – https://www.flickr.com/photos/199903594@N07/53644494457/, CC BY 2.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77556945

Gradual opening

The Riyadh Metro will open in three phases

The Blue Line, which is 38 kilometers long, is one of the first lines to partially open, alongside the Yellow and Purple Lines, and will run from north to south through the center of Riyadh.

The Red and Green Lines are scheduled to open by December 15th, while the Orange Line is scheduled to open by January 5th.

The metro was originally announced in 2014 with a completion date of December 2024, the Riyadh Metro is one of the largest transit projects ever undertaken in a single phase, earning it “mega project” status.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for 10 years,” said 25-year-old Mohammed al-Arifi, a Riyadh resident who took his first metro ride on Sunday.

“I am looking forward to using the metro more as it will reduce my daily commuting time,” he told Al Arabiya English.

Riyadh’s metro transport network is designed to accommodate the city’s rapidly growing population, which is projected to grow from 7.5 million in 2023 to between 15 and 20 million by 2030.

The network will also include 80 bus routes, 842 buses and 2,860 stops, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the city.

Saad al-Dahoud, a 22-year-old student in Riyadh, said the metro is very convenient and he plans to use it regularly to commute to university.

“I came with some of my friends today for our first metro ride and I have informed all my friends and relatives to use the metro as much as possible,” he told Al Arabiya.

Riyadh metro ticket prices

The Darb app, available on all mobile app stores, which facilitates the purchase of tickets for travel on the Riyadh Metro, announced that prices range from 4 riyals (95 cents) to 140 riyals (34.97 euros).

Tickets are available in four categories:

  • 4 Rials (95 euro cents) for a two-hour journey.
  • 20 Rials (€4.73) for a three-day pass.
  • 40 Rials (€10.40) for a one-week pass.
  • 140 Rials (34.97 euros) for a 30-day pass.

Each class offers unlimited travel on both buses and metro within the ticket’s validity period.