In the 90s, as I grew up in Saudi Arabia, I was accustomed to being chauffeured to my destinations, whether it was through my father’s driving or by riding a limousine. However, with changes in the present day, including the allowance for women to drive and the expansion of public transportation options, such as the upgraded bus system and the newly launched Riyadh Metro – it feels like Saudi Arabia has made all the right moves toward its new, progressive direction.
The Riyadh Metro is the largest metro project in the world, and also the longest driverless metro. I was fortunate to be among the first to ride the Riyadh Metro on its opening day for the public. On December 1, 2024, around noon, a friend and I made our way to the nearest metro station in our area, the Alinma Bank Station. As I neared its entry doors, I couldn’t help but feel a whiff of nostalgia pass through me – with this Olaya spot being once the pulse of Riyadh. The construction of the Riyadh Metro was over a decade in the making and it affected a lot of people and businesses, especially in these parts. With the flagship store of the iconic Jarir Bookstore just beside the station, it stored a lot of memories with Riyadhis and the deconstruction of that area to what it is now prompted a nod to what it was before.
The doors of the station opened with the warm welcome of young Saudi Train Ambassadors who greeted us with smiles. We headed down the first escalator to the main ticketing area, where interactive kiosks were available for issuing the Darb card, the same card used on the Riyadh Bus. Ushers were on hand to assist first-time metro passengers, and many of them were capturing the moment through photographs and videos, making it a memorable occasion in Riyadh’s history.
After tapping in our cards to enter, we rode two more long escalators down to the train platform. The descent felt reminiscent of subway stations in cities like New York and London. Upon reaching the platform, we headed to the First Class cabin section to await the arrival of the train. Passengers are allocated in three ways: Single, Family, and First Class. The first two sectors’ fares are at 4 SAR for 2 hours while the First Class fare is at 10 SAR for 2 hours.
The Riyadh Metro trains are entirely automated, driverless, and powered by electricity. It features color-coded seats corresponding to the respective lines. We settled into our seats at the rear of the cabin, where a large glass window afforded us a prime view of the upcoming journey.
As the train set off, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion coming over me. Emerging from the depths of the tunnel and into the city streets, the sun’s rays filtered through the windows as if to signify that it is the dawn of a new era. Approaching the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Station, where all the current open metro lines converge, the towering buildings and architectural marvel of the station reflected the Kingdom’s evolution. I sensed the pride that the people of Saudi Arabia must have felt as they saw this project come to fruition, because that was what I felt as well.
Reflecting on the years of effort dedicated to building this impressive infrastructure, I could only express my gratitude. Alhamdulillah for the dedication of those who worked tirelessly, day and night, to ensure the smooth operation of these stations and trains. Alhamdulillah for the government’s vision and support in providing this service to its citizens and residents. It is experiences like these that tangibly signify that change has arrived and is here to stay.
Photo credits: Saudi Press Agency
RIYADH METRO FAQs
WHAT ARE THE OPERATING HOURS?
The trains operate from 6:00 AM to 12:00 MN daily.
WHERE AND HOW TO BUY TICKETS TO THE RIYADH METRO?
- Ticket offices at the train stations
- Ticket vending machines at metro stations
- Direct payment at the gate (ATM/Credit Card/Apple Pay)
- Darb app
HOW MUCH ARE THE TICKETS TO THE RIYADH METRO?
- Standard Ticket starts from SR 4 for 2 hours
- First Class Ticket starts from SR 10 for 2 hours
- Free for children under 6 years old.
WHICH LINES ARE OPERATIONAL?
The Blue Line (25 Stations), Yellow Line (9 Stations), and Purple Line (11 Stations), Red Line (14 Stations) and Green Line (11 Stations) are open. But not all stations are operational.
WHEN WILL THE OTHER LINES OPEN?
The Orange Line (21 Stations) is set to open on January 5, 2025.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE OF STANDARD AND FIRST CLASS?
First class has a separate cabin with nicer seats. It’s also located on the ends of the trains which gives you a nicer view.
WHAT ARE THE PROHIBITIONS?
- No eating and drinking on the trains.
- Luggages are allowed but huge boxes are not.
- Scooters and bikes are not allowed, unless they’re foldable.
- Pets are not allowed.
