The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport is part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s ambitious city plan to equip Riyadh with public transport that will provide all population groups with suitable public transport services, accommodating existing and future mobility needs in Riyadh.

The project is dedicated to building, operating, and developing a world-class rapid transport network for Riyadh, providing comfortable, affordable, and time-saving mobility options for all citizens throughout the city. The project will be of great benefit to the traffic flow, economy, society, and environment in Riyadh. The public transport network will create an interconnected city with:

• 6 metro lines
• 84 metro stations
• 80 bus routes
• 2,860 bus stops
• 842 buses

The King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport will offer metro services and a comprehensive bus network. Combined, the Riyadh Public Transport Network will have a passenger capacity of 1.7 million passengers a day in the initial operation phase.

The network has been developed according to the following criteria:

• Population density and distribution
• Connecting main points of interest such as ministries, universities, hospitals, commercial complexes, transport hubs and government facilities
• Estimated traffic size on the roads
• Expected number of passengers
• Duration of the trip on each line of the public transport network
• Minimizing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions

Riyadh Metro Project

The Metro Project is the backbone of the public transport network in Riyadh, capable of transporting 1.2 million passengers a day in its first phase, and potentially 3.6 million passengers at a full-scale realization.

Metro network and stations

With six lines at a total length of 176 km and 84 metro stations, the metro network will cover most of the densely populated areas, public facilities, and the educational, commercial, and medical institutions. The network will be connected to King Khalid International Airport and King Abdullah Financial District, the main universities, downtown Riyadh, and the public transport center.

Metro lines

1. Blue line: Axis of Al-Olaya – Al-Batha – Al-Hayer roads, with a total length of 38 km.
2. Red line: Axis of King Abdullah Road, with a total length of 25.3 km.
3. Orange line: Axis of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road – Prince Saad Bin Abdurrahman I Road, with a total length of 40.7 km.
4. Yellow line: Axis of King Khalid International Airport Road, with a total length of 29.6 km.
5. Green line: Axis of King Abdulaziz Road, with a total length of 12.9 km.
6. Violet line: Axis of Abdurrahman Bin Awf Road – Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussain Bin Ali Road, with a total length of 30 km.

Main stations

The Riyadh metro stations are designed according to a unified architectural pattern to give the project a unique identity. Intended to provide the passengers with safety and comfort, all stations will be air-conditioned, equipped with passenger information systems and provide internet access. Select stations will offer shops and car parks.

The Riyadh metro project includes four main stations located in highly populated areas and at the intersections of metro lines and the bus network. The stations provide support services such as parking lots, ticket outlets, shops, and customer service offices. The four main stations are as follows:

• Qasr Al-Hukm District Station
• King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station
• Western Metro Station
• STC Station

Metro cars

The trains are fully automated. All trains are uniformly designed, and are built for high passenger comfort and energy efficiency specifications.

• 74 Inspiro sets for Lines 1 and 2, supplied by Siemens
• 47 Innovia Metro 300 trains for Line 3, supplied by Bombardier
• 69 Metropolis sets for Lines 4, 5 and 6, supplied by Alstom

Amenities

Specifications of metro cars have included the world’s latest technologies. All metro cars share a uniform design, with colors following the color of their designated line. Passenger comfort has been a central element to all metro car producers.

Safety

Each train and station are equipped with advanced surveillance systems, firefighting equipment, tunnel safety systems, and sophisticated communications between network and the Operations & Control Center. The trains have been subjected to intense testing to ensure they can withstand the city’s harsh climatic conditions.

Supporting infrastructure

Parking

21 park & ride locations with a capacity of 200-600 cars each, have been dedicated to facilitating the use of the metro network. The park & ride locations are well-distributed throughout the city to simplify commutes.

Safety and security

The metro network meets all safety and security requirements for passengers and facilities; all metro cars and stations will be provided with advanced security systems, which include CCTV-cameras and early warning systems, firefighting systems, tunnel safety systems and a communication system that supports real-time communication with the Control & Operation Center and security personnel.

Depots

The Riyadh Metro project includes the establishment of seven parking & maintenance centers, including workshops for regular maintenance, offices for the staff and parking areas for the metro train fleet, as well as control centers. Five advanced centers will operate, control, and monitor the metro lines, trains, stations, and other project facilities.

Sustainability

The Riyadh Metro Project is a beacon of sustainability in urban transportation. With a focus on efficiency and environmental consciousness, this groundbreaking project aims to revolutionize commuting in the city. By providing a clean and reliable alternative to traditional vehicles, the metro system significantly reduces carbon emissions, thereby mitigating the urban heat island effect and fostering a healthier environment for all. Comprising six expansive lines that blanket the city, this project not only enhances connectivity but also alleviates congestion on the streets, promoting a more sustainable urban landscape.

Moreover, the design of the metro stations sets a new standard for eco-friendly infrastructure. Each station is designed to meet sustainability benchmarks, incorporating measures to reduce energy and water consumption, enhance indoor air quality, utilize local materials, and promote waste recycling. Green materials with low volatile organic compound emissions are prioritized, while the integration of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells further underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability. For instance, the installation of 5448 m² of photovoltaic panels in West Depot (Line 3) powers 33% of the facility’s energy needs, exemplifying the fusion of innovation and environmental responsibility.

Western Metro Station

The Western Metro Station succeeded in the design phase to achieve a remarkable 16.6% energy saving compared to ASHRAE 90.1 (2007) standards, with 2.08% of that coming from on-site renewable energy generation. Additionally, the station boasts a 68% reduction in outdoor water usage, complemented by 50% of indoor water conservation thanks to the use of highly efficient fixtures.

The design considered 20% recycled content, 20% local materials, and low VOC of adhesives, sealants, and paints and avoiding CFC in chilled water.

Notably, construction waste was reduced by 20% through recycling, with ambitious plans to sustain the use of eco-friendly materials throughout the project’s operational phases to minimize the environmental footprint in the long term.

The Station’s design capitalizes on this sustainable vision, along with the relevant initiatives undertaken during the design and construction phases, with a definitive aim of securing LEED Silver certification.

Qasr Al-Hukm District Station

The Qasr Al-Hukm District Station succeeded in the design phase to achieve a remarkable 16.8% energy saving compared to ASHRAE 90.1 (2007) standards, with 1.45% of that coming from on-site renewable energy generation. Additionally, the station boasts a 66% reduction in outdoor water usage, complemented by 40% of indoor water conservation thanks to the use of highly efficient fixtures.

The design considered 20% recycled content, 20% local materials, and low VOC of adhesives, sealants, and paints and avoiding CFC in chilled water.

Notably, construction waste was reduced by 20% through recycling, with ambitious plans to sustain the use of eco-friendly materials throughout the project’s operational phases to minimize the environmental footprint in the long term.

The Station’s design capitalizes on this sustainable vision, along with the relevant initiatives undertaken during the design and construction phases, with a definitive aim of securing LEED Silver certification.

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station

The KAFD Metro Station succeeded in the design phase to achieve a remarkable 34% energy saving compared to ASHRAE 90.1 (2007) standards, with 1.45% of that coming from on-site renewable energy generation. Additionally, the station boasts a 54.7% reduction in outdoor water usage thanks to the use of highly efficient fixtures.

The Station’s design focused on utilizing materials featuring recycled components to drive the demand for sustainable construction materials and support the circular economy.

The Station allocates preferred parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 6.19% of the total parking capacity, encouraging the use of green transportation.

The Station’s design capitalizes on this sustainable vision, along with the relevant initiatives undertaken during the design and construction phases, with a definitive aim of securing LEED Silver certification.

Riyadh Bus Project

The bus network is fully integrated with the metro network, connecting the districts of Riyadh with the business and commercial centers. With the capacity to transport over 500,000 passengers, the bus network will serve as a main means of transportation within residential districts. Providing comfortable and efficient transportation for all residents of Riyadh, the bus network will enhance city mobility and reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact from individual vehicles.

Bus network and stations

Once fully launched, the comprehensive bus network encompasses 2,860 stops and 80 routes, served by 842 buses.

• Three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes will provide 160 km of dedicated bus lanes serving high-capacity corridors, offering faster, more direct, and reliable journeys.
• The 19 community lines (910 km of network) will link major attractions and services such as hospitals, universities, shopping malls, parks, and recreational centers, and will connect to BRT and Metro stations.
• 58 feeder lines (835km of network) will provide seamless connections to the metro and BRT system.
• There is a planned Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) service aimed to provide the link to the ‘first or last mile’ of a passenger’s journey in residential areas.

The bus network project includes four types of stations that match the different network levels in terms of design, capacity, and function. It also features a bus tracking system and a passenger guidance and information system which aims at increasing the efficiency of the network operation and providing the passengers with real time updates about their trip and bus schedules.

Vehicles

The brand-new Riyadh bus fleet consists of 842 buses, manufactured by Mercedes and MAN. By acquiring 600 Mercedes buses, the RCRC made the largest commercial vehicle procurement in the history of the vehicle manufacturer. The bus fleet is made up of three bus types:

• 421 Mercedes Citaro G
• 179 Mercedes Citaro
• 242 MAN Lion’s City

Amenities

The buses have a modern and sleek design. All buses are equipped with on-board Wi-Fi and a smart ticketing system. The buses are spacious and well-adapted to accommodate different passenger groups and are wheelchair accessible. All vehicles and bus stops are equipped with air-conditioning for a comfortable experience.

Safety

The Riyadh buses meet international safety standards. To secure the safety of our passengers, CCTV monitoring is installed on all buses and bus stops. Our driver performance monitoring system ensures that drivers hold the highest standards.

Environment

Running on ultra-low-sulfur fuel, the new Riyadh buses are the most environmentally friendly ever used in Saudi Arabia. The buses will help reduce CO2 emissions and traffic congestion in the city.

Supporting infrastructure

Parking

Four dedicated park & ride sites allow easy access to the bus network. Each parking site has a capacity of 200-600 cars. These are part of the 25 parking sites within the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, which covers both the bus and metro networks.

Bus depots

The Riyadh Bus Project has two bus depots, which include workshops for regular maintenance, staff offices and parking areas for the bus fleet.

Control Center

Located west of Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, an 80,000 m² Control and Operation Center will:

• Control the operation of buses
• Communicate with the drivers
• Manage the passenger information system and tracking system
• Ensure integration between the metro and bus networks
• Manage the unified ticketing system
• Monitor security and safety systems

Launch of Riyadh Bus

RCRC has announced the successful completion of the main ‎Riyadh Bus network, marking a significant achievement within the framework of the King Abdulaziz ‎Project for Riyadh Public Transport. The main Riyadh Bus network comprises 54 routes, encompassing a total of 2,145 stations and ‎stops, and is served by a fleet of 679 buses.

The launch of the Riyadh bus service was supported by the launch of the online portal www.riyadhbus.sa offering a variety of options for passengers to learn more about the service, the bus routes, and how to purchase tickets.

Cost of trip onboard the Riyadh Bus

Multiple ticket purchasing options accommodate the needs of all passengers: purchasing a Darb Card as a digital wallet, the Ticket Vending Machines at select bus stations, or contactless with bank debit/credit card or enabled smart device on the bus.  A single ticket costs 4 SAR and is valid for 120 minutes upon activation.