World’s longest driverless metro fully operational in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Metro, the largest in the Middle East and the world’s longest driverless train network, is now fully operational with the launch of the Orange Line (Line 3) yesterday, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced. This marks the completion of the phased rollout of all six metro lines, transforming transportation across the Saudi capital.

The Orange Line spans 41 kilometres, linking Riyadh’s eastern and western districts. It runs from Jeddah Road in the west to the Second Eastern Ring Road near Khashm Al-Aan in the east, with operational stations at Jeddah Road, Tuwaiq, Douh, Harun Al-Rashid Road, and Al-Naseem. Al-Naseem also connects to the Purple Line, enhancing the network’s interconnectivity.

Three new stations have also opened on the Blue Line: Al Morooj, Bank Al Bilad and King Fahd Library. The Riyadh Metro project was inaugurated by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz on 27 November 2024, with phased operations beginning last month. The Blue, Yellow and Purple Lines launched on 1 December, followed by the Red and Green Lines on 15 December.

Developed in collaboration with global consortiums, construction of the metro began in 2013 under contracts worth $22.5 billion. The project is a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil through sustainable infrastructure development.

Spanning 176 kilometres with 85 stations, the Riyadh Metro is expected to significantly enhance mobility for residents and visitors alike, offering a modern, eco-friendly alternative to private vehicles and addressing the city’s growing transportation needs.

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