RCRC Awards $1.47 Billion Contracts for Riyadh Metro Expansion

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded contracts worth approximately SAR 5.5 billion (US$1.47 billion) to Siemens and Alstom for the supply of 94 new trains for the Riyadh Metro. These contracts include not only the train sets but also systems and equipment, maintenance services, training, and other technical and operational requirements. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and will occur in phases, with each batch undergoing testing and operational trials before entering passenger service. This expansion will increase the metro's fleet from 183 to 277 train sets, enhancing the overall network capacity by about 60 percent. The Red Line will experience the largest capacity increase at 142 percent, followed by the Yellow Line at 116 percent. The Blue Line, already the highest-capacity line, will gain 60 percent, while the Orange and Purple lines will see increases of 27 percent and 16 percent, respectively. The network was originally designed to accommodate additional trains, allowing for capacity growth as passenger numbers increase. Since its operations began in December 2024, the Riyadh Metro has recorded approximately 300 million passenger trips, with average monthly ridership rising by 25 percent in 2026 compared to 2025. This expansion is part of RCRC's broader initiative to enhance the capital's public transport network to support urban and economic development goals, especially as Riyadh prepares to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.