Riyadh to launch metro for the first time
Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh will launch a city metro for the first time in 2024, the kingdom’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al Jasser said.
He said the long-awaited opening is scheduled for later this year. The Riyadh project will be the world’s largest metro network built in one phase. The construction cost is estimated at US$ 22.5bn.
The launch of the metro is part of an ambitious strategy to develop the public transport network: the metro will carry 1.2 million passengers per year in the first phase. When completed, the network will have six lines totalling 176 kilometres and 84 stations.
The metro network will cover most of the densely populated neighbourhoods, public facilities, as well as educational, commercial and medical facilities. Metro branches will extend to King Khalid International Airport and King Abdullah Financial District, as well as major universities.
As previously reported, the Executive Council of Dubai announced large-scale plans to develop the public urban transport system – so, the number of metro stations will double by 2040.
Currently, 55 metro stations (35 on the red line and 20 on the green line) and 11 tram stops operate in the emirate. By 2030, the total number of stations will reach 96 and the length of rail lines will reach 140 kilometres.
Meanwhile, by 2040, the number of stations will rise to 140 and the urban transport network will cover more than 228 square kilometres of Dubai’s area. The plans will support the ‘20 Minute City’ development strategy, which also includes creating new spaces for walking and increasing the number of shaded areas.
Thanks to the development of the metro network, the population of the new neighbourhoods will grow, and the number of commercial, office and service spaces in them will increase, which will contribute to the further development of the economy and small businesses.
It is known that already in 2024 the construction of the ‘blue’ branch of the metro will begin. The 30-kilometre line is planned to be put into operation in 2029, the project will cost 18 billion dirhams (US$ 4.9 billion).
Source: Arabian Business
