Riyadh Metro Launches Orange Line, Completing City's Six-Track Network

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The long-anticipated Orange Line of the Riyadh Metro is now operational, marking a significant milestone in the completion of the city's six-track metro network. This development sees Riyadh's public transportation take a critical leap forward as the Orange Line begins serving its first five stations.

Spanning 40.7 kilometers, the Orange Line is the longest of the metro's tracks, stretching along the Madinah Road - Prince Saad bin Abdulrahman I Road axis and connecting the eastern part of Riyadh to the western end, from Khashm Al-Aan station to Jeddah Road station. This line is crucial in connecting various city locales, with its initial five stations—Jeddah Road Station, Tuwaiq Station, Al-Douh Station, Haroun Al-Rashid Road Station, and Al-Naseem Station, the latter being a key transfer point linking to the Purple Line.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City confirmed that while the Orange Line is operational, some stations on both the Blue and Orange Lines are still under construction. These will be opened progressively.

In addition to the Orange Line's debut, the Blue Line, which runs along the Al-Ulya Al-Batha Road axis, welcomes three new operational stations: Al-Morouj Station, Bank Al-Bilad Station, and King Fahd Library Station.

Upon completion, Riyadh Metro is set to become the longest driverless metro system in the world, envisioned to transport at least one million passengers daily, according to the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics. The project's expansive coverage includes six main tracks traversing key routes across the city, offering a public transportation network that extends over 176 kilometers across 84 stations.

Designed to integrate architectural aesthetics with functional efficiency, the Riyadh Metro's 85 stations include a mix of 34 elevated, 4 ground-level, and 47 underground stations. This infrastructure aims to provide accessible and efficient transit options throughout the city, enhancing the overall quality of life for Riyadh's residents.

In tandem with the metro's expansion, King Saud University has announced the introduction of a shuttle bus service within its campus, launched in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. This service, starting on Sunday, is a strategic initiative to improve intra-campus mobility for students and staff.

The operational commencement of the Orange Line reflects Riyadh's commitment to pioneering sustainable urban development through innovative public transport solutions, fostering greater connectivity and convenience for all city residents.