From Riyadh Metro to flying taxis: Saudi Arabia’s transport revolution easing commutes

Saudi Arabia : Saudi Arabia’s capital marked an urban mobility milestone with the launch of its first Metro system on December 1, addressing a critical transportation issue where “a 5 km journey sometimes takes an hour,” according to transportation experts.

The multi-billion-dollar Riyadh Metro project represents a fundamental shift in public transportation in a city where residents have historically relied almost entirely on private vehicles.
Phased opening
The Riyadh Metro is opening in three phases. The Blue Line, which is 38 kilometers (24 miles) long, was one of the first lines to partially open, alongside the Yellow and Purple Lines, and runs north to south through Downtown Riyadh.

The Red and Green Lines launched on December 15, while the Orange Line is scheduled to open by January 5, 2025.
‘Easing gridlock’
“Alternative means of transport outside of cars are necessary. Riyadh is gridlocked,” Nazar Musa, CEO at Sovereign PPG KSA, told Al Arabiya English. “Public transport solutions are crucial to ease traffic flow around the city.”

The entire project features six color-coded lines spanning 176 kilometers with 85 stations, making it one of the largest urban transport projects currently operational in the world. Forty percent of the tracks run underground, facilitating smoother journey times across the Kingdom.

The system features 183 train rakes manufactured by Siemens, Bombardier, and Alstom, establishing itself as the world’s longest driverless metro network. The fully automated operation represents a significant technological leap for the region’s public transportation infrastructure.
The Riyadh Metro transport network aims to keep up with the city’s growing population, which, according to a Knight Frank report, is forecast to increase from 7 million in 2022 to 9.3 million by 2030. The metro system will also include 80 bus routes with 2,860 bus stops and 842 buses.

‘Catching up’ with fast urban development
“Without the right transportation systems in place, a city can struggle to flow, disrupting work, which has a huge economic impact,” Musa explained. “The speed of development towards 2030 goals means that Saudi cities are playing catch-up. The key to this is thinking about other means of public transportation to get single-user private vehicles off the roads.”

Campbell Gray, CEO, Middle East & Africa at AtkinsRéalis, said that the Riyadh Metro will transform urban transport in the capital by “providing a modern, efficient, and integrated public transit system for all,” adding “It will significantly enhance residents’ and visitors’ quality of life by offering a safe and accessible transportation option.”

He added: “The network will play a crucial role in facilitating Riyadh’s development plans. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated his ambition to make Riyadh one of the ten largest city economies in the world, achieving transformative projects that will respond to the needs of a population projected to continue growing exponentially by 2030. Economically, the development supports this growth, making Riyadh an even more attractive place to live and work. The transformative Riyadh Metro project contributes to diversification by creating jobs, boosting local businesses, and drawing foreign investment, positioning Riyadh as a global business and tourism hub.”

Gray said the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, such as driverless trains, places the Riyadh Metro network on par with other leading high-tech systems such as Hong Kong’s MTR.

The transition to mass public transit required careful consideration of local cultural contexts.

Craft Group, a key player in the project’s public engagement strategy, established a visitor center that became instrumental in familiarizing residents with the new system.

“Before the metro’s introduction, Riyadh had no public transportation system, making this a monumental leap for the city,” Orazio Moretti from the Craft Group, a design-build firm, told Al Arabiya English.

“The metro is designed to carry 1.2 million passengers daily, with plans to scale up to 3.6 million, helping ease traffic jams and reduce reliance on cars. This shift not only cuts fuel use and pollution, but also supports a more sustainable city. Beyond transportation, the metro boosts connections between key areas, driving economic growth and improving everyday life for residents.”

The Craft Group was behind a dedicated visitor center designed to introduce the metro system to the community. During its four-year operation, the center welcomed over 250,000 visitors, helping build public awareness and acceptance.

“This space served as a hub for education and engagement, allowing visitors to virtually experience the metro system and gain a clear understanding of its functionality and benefits,” said Moretti.

Musa said expanding the metro routes would allow a larger group of people to access affordable transportation. Developments such as adding additional metro lines will have a positive impact on how residents and businesses interact with the city, he further reasoned.

The economic advantages for residents will be significant.

“A regular three-day pass for Riyadh Metro is expected to cost around SAR20 (about $5), whereas a single 20-minute taxi ride may cost around SAR50-60 ($13-$16),” Musa explained. “The gridlock issues causing huge delays on the roads paired with the rising costs of filling up fuel and servicing private vehicles may make residents consider the metro option.”

A decade in the making
The journey to modernize Riyadh’s transportation infrastructure began in 2012, with the development of detailed physical models of the metro stations. Interactive projection models were introduced and played a crucial role during the official contract-signing ceremony attended by Prince Bandar bin Faisal and representatives from the BACS, FAST, and STS consortiums.

Between 2014 and 2016, these models toured public events across Riyadh, generating community interest and support. The project gained international recognition through exhibitions and events, including UITP in Montreal, Stockholm, and Dubai, as well as the Smart City Exhibition in Riyadh.
Vision 2030
Riyadh Metro represents a huge pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy and improve the quality of life for residents.

“The initiatives around UMS aim to create a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced urban mobility landscape,” Musa said. “Riyadh Metro is just one example of how the city will integrate transportation systems to improve traffic management and mobility for a growing city and population.”

In 2018, the project reached another milestone with the successful completion of the Naming Rights event, securing key sponsorships for main stations. The same year saw the launch of the complementary Riyadh Bus network, creating an integrated public transport system for the city.

Riyadh’s transport transformation mirrors successful urban mobility initiatives in other global cities. Singapore’s integrated transport system, which combines metro, bus, and automated vehicles, has significantly reduced private vehicle dependency. Similarly, Copenhagen’s comprehensive cycling infrastructure and efficient public transport network have made it one of the world’s most sustainable cities.

Future mobility, flying taxis
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia’s transportation vision extends beyond conventional ground-based solutions. The Kingdom is exploring the potential of air taxis to perform a variety of functions, from transporting medical equipment and facilitating emergency travel to moving pilgrims between sacred locations and supporting logistical operations.

“Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national airline has plans to receive its order for 50 electric air vehicles during 2026,” Musa revealed.

In June, EHang Holdings’ EH216-S, the world’s first licensed autonomous air taxi, took its maiden flight in the holy city of Mecca. This pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle transported Hajj pilgrims, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of aerial mobility in Saudi Arabia.

These air taxis will work in the Kingdom’s urban environment, starting as being offered for very specific journeys between a few major landmarks and primarily for futuristic tourism experiences, Musa added.

Smart city integration
The transportation revolution extends beyond physical infrastructure.

“Expanding all forms of transportation, both traditional and using smart city technology, will ease congestion and improve traffic flow by land, sea, and skies,” said Musa.

Other initiatives include new bus networks in Jeddah and Dammam, while ride-hailing services like Careem have seen rapid growth. The Transport Ministry has reported a 40 percent increase in ride-sharing usage since 2021.

The metro project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental commitments and its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Global metro success stories
Cities worldwide offer valuable insights into successful urban transit transformations. Hong Kong’s MTR system, which carries over 4.5 million passengers daily, demonstrates how efficient public transport can become integral to urban life. Dubai’s Metro, operational since 2009, provides a regional example of successful implementation in a cultural context like Riyadh’s.

“The importance of future transport infrastructure planning has become increasingly evident from the experience of all rapidly developing GCC countries,” said Musa. “The Metro has been the biggest development for Riyadh’s transportation network.”

As the metro expands, Saudi Arabia can learn from the Dubai Metro model, Musa added. “So, making sure that your metro networks link as many of the populated areas across the city as possible, including more suburban areas, will improve the city’s connectivity and residents’ experience with public transport.”