Saudi Arabia opened parts of Riyadh’s long-awaited metro system as the kingdom pushes ahead with plans to modernize the capital and ease the heavy traffic that has become a commonplace complaint in the city.

The Riyadh Metro, the backbone of the capital’s public transport network, will begin operation on Sunday. The Riyadh Metro project is the largest in the Middle East and boasts the world’s longest driverless metro line in the world.

“The Riyadh Metro is not just a transportation system; it is a symbol of Saudi Arabia's forward-thinking vision and its commitment to sustainable growth. Alstom is immensely proud to have partnered in this groundbreaking journey, delivering a world-class metro that will reshape urban mobility and contribute to a brighter future for Riyadh.”

The BACS consortium has announced the opening of Riyadh Metro’s first phase comprising the 64km Blue Line and Red Line. The Blue Line begins service on 1 December, followed by the Red Line on 15 December. The BACS consortium includes Bechtel, Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company, and Siemens Mobility.

King Salman inaugurated Riyadh's new metro network, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030 that will begin serving passengers next month.

Saudi Arabia has begun operations of the Riyadh Metro, which is expected to help reduce traffic and boost the value of commercial and residential real estate in the city. The first phase of the driverless transport system,