Riyadh awards Siemens and Alstom contracts for 94 metro trains
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has signed contracts worth approximately SAR 5.5 billion with Siemens and Alstom to procure 94 new train sets for the Riyadh Metro. Siemens is identified as a German manufacturer and Alstom as a French rolling stock manufacturer. The procurement will increase the fleet from 183 to 277 train sets.
The contracts cover manufacturing the trains, systems and equipment, as well as maintenance services, training and other technical and operational requirements. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and will take place in phases. Each batch is to undergo testing and operational trials before being progressively introduced into passenger service.
The additional trains are expected to increase the network’s overall capacity by approximately 60%. Capacity will be distributed across the metro’s six lines according to projected passenger demand and expected ridership patterns. The article does not provide the planned capacity increase for each individual line.
The network was designed to accommodate additional trains and allow capacity to grow progressively as passenger numbers rise. RCRC’s procurement programme will use that provision to strengthen service capacity across the existing network.
The fleet expansion follows growth in metro ridership since operations began in December 2024. The network has recorded approximately 300 million passenger trips. Average monthly ridership increased by 25% in 2026 compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
The new trains are intended to accommodate expected growth in mobility demand as Riyadh’s population expands and new urban destinations and development projects come online. The article also links the expected demand to the city’s preparations for major international events. It names Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034 as events expected to bring additional transport demand from residents, visitors and international travellers.
The contract awards are part of RCRC’s broader programme to expand and strengthen Riyadh’s public transport infrastructure in line with the city’s long-term urban and economic development objectives. The article says the larger fleet is intended to improve the network’s ability to accommodate future passenger demand and support mobility for residents and visitors.
