In a landmark achievement for global public transportation, the Riyadh Metro Project was officially inaugurated on Wednesday by King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Spanning a staggering 176 kilometers, it has claimed the title of the world’s longest driverless metro network, surpassing previous record-holders and setting a new benchmark for urban mobility.
This colossal infrastructure project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030,” an ambitious blueprint aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy and reducing its dependence on oil.
A Feat of Engineering and Scale
The sheer scale of the Riyadh Metro is unprecedented for a single-phase construction project.
- Length: 176 kilometers of track.
- Stations: 85 stations spread across the city.
- Lines: 6 distinct lines connecting key districts, government centers, universities, and the King Khalid International Airport.
- Capacity: The system is designed to handle 1.16 million passengers daily in its initial phase, with capacity projected to scale up to 3.6 million passengers in the future.
The network is fully automated (driverless), utilizing state-of-the-art technology to ensure safety, punctuality, and energy efficiency. By offering a robust alternative to private vehicles, the metro is expected to drastically reduce traffic congestion in the capital, where car dependency has historically been high.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Officials state that the Riyadh Metro will reduce the city’s carbon footprint by cutting car trips by approximately 250,000 per day. This aligns with the Kingdom’s broader environmental goals under the Saudi Green Initiative.
Economically, the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs and stimulate growth in real estate and retail around the new stations. It also aims to improve the quality of life for residents by providing affordable and reliable transport.
A New Global Standard
With this launch, Riyadh overtakes other major cities known for extensive automated metro systems, such as Dubai and Singapore. The project highlights Saudi Arabia’s rapid modernization and its ability to execute mega-projects on a global scale. As the trains begin rolling, Riyadh takes a significant step toward becoming one of the world’s most connected and sustainable future cities.
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