Three lines are set to start running in the capital.

London has the Tube, New York has the Subway, and Riyadh is getting its very own Metro. The world’s longest driverless metro system was inaugurated on Wednesday, 27 November, changing the connectivity in the capital. While the trains are currently running in their first phase, they will be operation to the public from 1 December. If you want to hop on board, here’s how to witness the historic moment of what is aiming to be the world’s longest driverless metro system.

Earlier, Riyadh Metro posted on X that the $22.5 billion project was to finally launch in the capital. In the first phase of development, Riyadh Metro will open with three lines. In the second phase of development, the remaining three lines will open in mid-December. 

Line one will connect from Al Orouba to Batha. Line two will connect from King Khalid International Airport Road. Line three will be an intersection of Abdulrahman Bin Auf Street and Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussein Street. The three additional lines will expand the network, and cover King Abdullah Road, Al Madina, King Abdulaziz Road and KAFD.

The Riyadh Metro aims to provide alternative transportation to the public and visitors, and reduce the country’ reliance on cars. Upon completion, the system will include six lines, 84 metro stations and it will span a total of 176 kilometres. The project will consist of the Blue Line, Green Line, Red Line, Orange Line, Purple Line and Yellow Line.

Saudi Arabia is also home to a metro line in Makkah called Harmain High Speed Railway which connects Makkah, Jeddah and Madina. In 2020, the first metro system in the country opened, and is assisted with visitors going for Hajj in Makkah.

Riyadh, it’s going to be an exciting ride. 

GO: Visit www.rcrc.gov.sa for more information.