Riyadh Metro orders 94 additional train sets

18 Oct 2026 · Riyadh

StatusRCRC announced the contracts; delivery and entry into service will be phased.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded Siemens and Alstom contracts worth SAR 5.5 billion ($1.47 billion) to purchase 94 train sets for the Riyadh Metro. The purchase is the first phase of plans to expand the network’s fleet.

RCRC said the order is part of early preparations for future mobility growth and the capital’s needs in the coming years. It is intended to expand the network’s destinations and support projects, including arrangements for major global events, foremost among them Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034.

With the purchase, the Riyadh Metro fleet rises from 183 to 277 trains, according to RCRC. Siemens and Alstom will deliver an integrated scope of project-related works and services, including manufacturing and fitting out the trains and systems.

RCRC said the new trains will increase the network’s overall capacity by 60%. Additional capacity will be allocated to each line according to ridership and expected demand.

The stated capacity increases are 142% on the Red Line, 116% on the Yellow Line, 60% on the Blue Line, 27% on the Orange Line and 16% on the Purple Line. RCRC said the network was designed from the outset to accommodate more trains and gradually expand capacity as usage grows.

The fleet expansion comes as passenger numbers on the Riyadh Metro have surpassed 300 million since operations began, RCRC said. The average number of passengers from January to September rose by about 25% compared with the same period in 2025.

The trains will be delivered in line with manufacturing stages. Each batch will undergo testing and operational trials before being gradually brought into service as it is ready.

RCRC said the investment forms part of its integrated development of the capital’s mobility system, focused on the road and intersection network, public transport and traffic management. The commission said this work keeps pace with population and urban growth and strengthens infrastructure readiness for Riyadh’s future needs.

Why this mattersFor a Madinah practice, this is a Riyadh transport procurement rather than a direct change to local plot supply or approvals. By inference, the phased fleet expansion and line-by-line capacity figures offer a useful benchmark when assessing how transit capacity can be planned alongside future urban growth; the source does not identify a procurement route open to other consultants or contractors.

Key figuresSAR 5.5 billion · $1.47 billion · 94 train sets · 183 to 277 trains · 60% overall capacity increase · Red Line 142% · Yellow Line 116% · Blue Line 60% · Orange Line 27% · Purple Line 16% · more than 300 million passengers · about 25% · January to September · 2025 · Expo 2030 Riyadh · FIFA World Cup 2034

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