Watch: See what Riyadh Metro's first day looked like
Next stop: traffic-free travel…
Yesterday was a momentous day in Saudi history. First announced in 2012, the Riyadh Metro has been a project that everyone (and we mean everyone) has been waiting for. Construction began in 2014; ten years later, the first passengers were on board. This is what the first day of the Riyadh Metro looks like.
Inaugurated by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud four days ago, the project is currently operating three lines. Below you’ll see the KAFD station, the first-class cabins, and the soaring views of the city.
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Expected to accommodate up to one million people every day, the initial phase will see the inauguration of Line 1, the Al Olaya to Al Batha route (Blue Line), alongside Line 4, King Khalid International Airport Road (Yellow Line), and Line 6, stretching across Abdulrahman bin Auf Road and Sheikh Hassan bin Hussein bin Ali Road (Purple Line).
The remaining three lines, which include the Red Line (King Abdullah Road) and the Green Line (King Abdulaziz Road) will start on Sunday December 15, while the Orange Line (Madinah Road) will start being operational on Sunday January 5, 2025.
The stations on the Blue Line (Al Olaya to Al Batha route), will open to passengers before the end of 2024. These stations include the Ministry of Interior, Qasr Al-Hukm, Sulaiman Al Habib, Al Murooj, Murabba, Wurud 2, Bank Albilad, King Fahd District, King Fahd Library, National Museum, Al Batha, and Al-Aziziyah.
The Purple Line (from Abdulrahman bin Aauf Street to Sheikh Hassan bin Hussain bin Ali Road) will be serviced by the An Naseem Station. The metro is expected to be fully functional by Sunday January 5, 2025, which includes all six lines and 85 stations, including four main stations.
You can get your tickets to the metro through the Darb app or directly from vending machines at the stations; the darb card will also be applicable on Riyadh Metro buses within certain time limits.
Visit: spa.gov.sa