Riyadh Metro aims to break Saudi capital’s car gridlock

• World’s longest driverless system
• City’s traffic problems growing
• Just 1% use public transport

The first phase of Saudi Arabia’s $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro is opening on December 1, marking a significant step toward transforming public transportation in a city known for its heavy car culture and gridlocked streets.

The project, billed as the world’s longest driverless transit system, is a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy and modernise its infrastructure.

Khalid Hogail, CEO of Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), the exclusive operator of the kingdom’s intercity public transport network, told AGBI the new metro system is not solely intended for low-income commuters, contrary to perceptions of Riyadh’s entrenched car culture.

He expects the train to become an attractive option for residents from all walks of life, including the more affluent business class who might otherwise avoid public transport.

SAPTCO

“They will be attracted to leave their luxury cars to go and enjoy public transport, because it is world-class standard, high quality and saves time,” he said.

“Five years ago, public transport was seen as something only low-income people would use, but not today. We face in Riyadh the most challenging [traffic]. Congestion is killing productivity.” 

Hogail said residents would have “no excuse” not to use world class facilities. 

“This isn’t about income – it’s about saving time, respecting your schedule, and improving your lifestyle,” he said.

“Yes, we are in an environment where only [few] use public transport because who would not like to use their car, enjoy the low fuel cost, no fee on parking, no fees on roads, but today you have to evaluate your time. Rather than spending an hour and 20 minutes, maybe you can do it in 40 minutes.”

Riyadh’s traffic woes are severe and have become a significant economic challenge, straining productivity and quality of life.

According to Statista estimates, the Saudi capital was the city with the most time lost in traffic in the Middle East and North Africa at about 87 hours per year in 2023. 

Home to over eight million people spread across 2,000 sq km, there has been a sharp increase in car usage in Riyadh since women gained the right to drive in 2018, which Hogail said has added roughly one-third more vehicles to the city’s already congested roads.

Surging tourism, entertainment and economic activities have further increased the number of trips, intensifying pressure on the city’s infrastructure.

With Riyadh’s population projected to exceed 15 million by 2030, the demand for effective transportation solutions has become even more urgent.

Public transport usage in Riyadh is currently just one percent, Hogail said – a stark contrast to other major global cities where it can exceed 90 percent. 

Creative Commons/0.1.0Universal/ ubahnverleih

The metro and an integrated bus network aim to increase that figure to 15 percent by the end of the decade, a goal he is confident will be “achieved easily.”

Educated Saudis familiar with using public transportation in major cities like London and Paris are expected to lead the shift, he added.

Beyond reducing congestion, the Riyadh Metro is expected to spur revenue from other activities. 

Much like elsewhere in the world, Hogail said advertising, retail spaces within stations and associated infrastructure services are expected to enjoy significant benefits, particularly with prominent landmark stations like the Zaha Hadid-designed King Abdullah Financial District hub poised to reshape the city.

The Riyadh Metro incorporates sustainable features like energy-efficient trains, regenerative braking – in which energy is extracted from the parts braked, to be stored and reused – and solar panels, with all six lines powered by renewable energy. 

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After this week’s launch of the first three lines, the other three will open in mid-December. 

The launch comes 12 years after the project was first announced, following delays caused by logistical and operational setbacks, and later slowed down by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hogail pointed out that it was a “giant project”. 

“It’s the biggest to be done in a very short time compared to big cities like London and Paris, which took 150 years to [complete] their network,” he said.

“Public transport will reshape the city, improve mobility, and improve health,” he added.

“Part of the attraction of any city is being decarbonised, congestion-free and livable – all of this makes living more enjoyable and easier.”