리야드 메트로 개통, 사우디의 시간·생활·미래를 바꾸다

Cultural and Historical Shift: From a Car City to a City of Shared Space

Riyadh has long been a city in absolute dependence on the car. Movement took place within a vehicle-centred culture premised on privacy and individuality, and the urban structure was designed around wide roads, large intersections, and motorway networks — leaving virtually no experience of citizens sharing the same space while in transit. In this context, the opening of the Riyadh Metro is not simply the introduction of a new mode of transport: it is the structural turning point at which 'public movement' becomes a daily experience for the first time. The Riyadh Metro, with all lines operational as of January 2025, is a symbolic event demonstrating that the city has formally joined the ranks of a 'global metropolis' competing with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. The project is the centrepiece of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, promoted by the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA); design began in 2012 and construction officially broke ground on 3 April 2014.

▲ Riyadh Metro promotional image and route map — Source: Saudi Tourism Authority

Transitional Policy: Uber Support and Integrated Bus Network

In the early stages of the metro's opening, the Saudi government implemented the unusual policy of subsidising Uber costs to help citizens adapt. When a metro station and a destination are within 3km of each other, Uber rides are provided free of charge twice a day on weekdays, enabling citizens with little experience of public transport to embrace the new way of getting around. The correspondent's nearest station is more than 3km away, so she cannot take full advantage of the scheme — but on fine days she walks to the metro, or sets a destination within 3km to make use of the Uber subsidy, experiencing first-hand the changing transport environment. This opening was also built around integrated operation with the Riyadh bus network, launched in March 2023. A bus system comprising over 2,800 stops and more than 80 routes densely connects metro stations with residential, commercial, and existing city-centre areas, designed to solve the First/Last Mile problem. Riyadh bus stops are equipped with sealed, air-conditioned shelters, allowing citizens to wait comfortably even in the extreme heat.

▲ Train interior packed with passengers — Source: correspondent's own photographs

Economic Shift: From Extreme Congestion to Urban Competitiveness

Riyadh has long suffered from severe traffic congestion. In a structure where approximately 90% of all journeys rely on private vehicles, it was common for a 20–30 minute distance to take two or three hours during rush hour. The Riyadh Metro is alleviating these bottlenecks — reduced commute times are naturally raising worker productivity and daily efficiency, and stabilising workforce management for companies. This change aligns closely with Saudi Arabia's national strategy, Vision 2030. The project involved world-class companies including Bechtel (USA), Siemens (Germany), FCC (Spain), and Egis·Systra (France), demonstrating Saudi Arabia's capacity to operate and coordinate mega-scale urban projects to international standards. In November 2025, Riyadh Metro was selected as the 'MENA Mega Project of the Year 2025' by MEED, in recognition of its innovative engineering and complex network coordination.

▲ Severe traffic congestion on a Riyadh road — Source: Arab News

Design and Social Shift: The City's Face and Expanding Mobility Rights

The Riyadh Metro is built as one of the world's largest driverless systems, comprising 6 lines, 85 stations, and approximately 176km of track. In particular, the KAFD station designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid has attracted international attention for its facade inspired by desert winds and geological strata, its organically flowing interior spaces, and the sculptural quality of its high-performance concrete panels.

▲ KAFD station designed by Zaha Hadid — Source: Archdaily

The social changes are also significant. The metro has expanded mobility rights for women, young people, and foreigners, and the appearance of a travel option that doesn't require driving has broadened daily activity ranges. Train carriages are divided into Single, Family, and First Class sections — Family carriages serve women and family groups, while Single carriages are designated for men travelling alone, reflecting gender and family structure in public transport design. A two-hour ticket costs just 4 riyals (approximately ₩1,500), making it affordable for both visitors and long-term foreign residents. As of August 2025, the metro surpassed 100 million passengers in under nine months of operation and recorded a 99.7% on-time rate, proving the effect of the public transport transition in numbers.

▲ Passengers waiting at Family and Single carriage platforms — Source: correspondent's own photographs

The Riyadh Metro is not simply the introduction of a transport mode: it is a historical event that simultaneously reshapes the city's temporal structure, citizens' way of life, and Saudi Arabia's future strategy.