Riyadh’s Blue and Red metro lines completed

The BACS consortium led by Bechtel, along with local construction companies Almabani and Consolidated Contractors Company, and in collaboration with Siemens Mobility, successfully delivered Riyadh Metro´s 64 km Blue Line (line 1) and Red Line (line 2), equipped with 67 Siemens Mobility Inspiro trains for fully automated, driverless operations.

This marks a significant achievement in the development of public transportation in the capital city, providing residents and visitors with a fast, safe, and eco-friendly mass transit system. The passenger operations on the network´s Blue Line started on 1 December 2024, with Red Line officially commence passenger operations on 15 December.
 
Thistransportation system not only meets Riyadh´s present transportation needs but also supports the increasing mobility demands as Saudi Arabia prepares to co-host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, welcome the World Expo 2030, host the 2034 Asian Games, and bid for the FIFA World Cup 2034. Construction for the project started in 2013.
 
Riyadh’s impressive mass transit project consists of six metro lines spanning a total of 176 km, alongside a fleet of 842 buses covering 1,900 km of route length. Siemens Mobility has played a crucial role in this development not only by delivering 67 Inspiros but also by equipping the Blue Line and Red Line with the latest version of the CBTC.

In addition to its involvement in the metro project, Siemens Mobility has secured a separate service contract from the Capital Metro Company (CAMCO), a joint venture between RATP Dev and SAPTCO, the operator of the Blue Line and the Red Line. This contract encompasses a mobilization phase, followed by the maintenance of all components and systems provided by Siemens Mobility, as well as the track infrastructure for an additional three years.

Metro Riyadh: Automated, driverless metro trains

The 41 four-car and 26 two-car driverless trains of the "Riyadh Metro" type, based on the Siemens Mobility Inspiro platform, are engineered for the region’s specific climatic conditions. A larger and more powerful air conditioning system ensures pleasant climate conditions in the passenger compartment. Additionally, filters and sealing systems reduce the ingress of sand into the areas such as air conditioning, traction systems, brakes, and bogies.

Another notable technical feature is the ability to couple and decouple trains automatically. This allows the operator to remotely choose which trains need to be coupled or decoupled from the operations control center, enabling flexible train lengths based on demand. The Inspiro trains offer comprehensive passenger information for announcements and multimedia information to enhance travel experiences. The delivery of the driverless metro trains to Riyadh began in 2018, marking a significant milestone in implementing the Riyadh Public Transit System.
 
Siemens Mobility has significantly impacted the Kingdom's transportation infrastructure since 2006, marking 18 years of transformative contributions. The company implemented the first European Train Control System in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) for the East-West Rail Line, enhancing both passenger and freight transport between Riyadh and Dammam. Its involvement in the Haramain High-Speed Rail project underscores its commitment to pioneering high-speed rail solutions. Additionally, Siemens Mobility has played a pivotal role in the electrification of the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line, enhancing its operational efficiency.