Why Is Riyadh Metro the Backbone of the Public Transport System in the Capital?

The Riyadh Metro project is considered the backbone of the public transport system in Riyadh City, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is due to its ability to address the challenges faced by the city, such as the growing population and its impact on infrastructure, especially roads and traffic.

The idea for the project originated with the construction of a backbone for public transport in the form of an electric train and buses to cover the entire city. This idea was first presented in 2009 when the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, while serving as Chairman of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), submitted a document to King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud that provided a plan for the development of public transport in Riyadh City. Riyadh Metro was described as the backbone of the transport system. The plan included:

First: Establishing the backbone of the public transport system through the construction of an electric train.

Second: Implementing a bus network that covers the entire Riyadh City, integrated with the electric train services, with a total length of 708 km, in addition to local networks within residential neighborhoods. The project aims to provide integrated public transportation solutions in the capital, providing residents and visitors with public transportation services that meet current and future needs.

On April 23, 2012, the Council of Ministers approved the implementation of the project in all its phases (train and buses). RCRC announced the completion of the main network of Riyadh Bus on December 19, 2023. Additionally, Riyadh Metro was inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 27, 2024.