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On 1 December, after over a decade of construction, Saudi Arabia celebrated the completion of the first phase of the .

Inspired by local heritage, the multi-billion-dollar project, backed by three international consortiums from 13 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia, marks a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development.

Currently, the station stands as one of the largest in the world,��featuring six lines spanning 176 kilometres and 85 stations, with an estimated cost of around $25 billion. While not yet fully operational, the modern, automated, and driverless trains will eventually be capable of once all the lines are complete.

With many envisioning the opening day to be a busy stop for travellers, the station, on December 1, presented a stark contrast, with Saudis standing in awe of the new building and capturing photos and videos of its interior.��

In light of Riyadh's first metro station creating a lot of excitement, ������ looks into what this new station means for the people of Saudi Arabia.

Much-needed transport alternative

At present, Riyadh’s population is growing from 7.8 million to an .

The rapid population growth, combined with the lifting of the ban on women driving in 2018, has led to a significant increase in traffic in the capital, with drivers often spending hours stuck in daily congestion.

To address this, Saudi authorities have outlined an ambition to reduce commuting times as part of a long-term strategy. The station is a key element of this plan, aimed at decreasing the number of cars on the roads and improving air quality across the metropolis.

The metro’s potential to save time was a key highlight for passengers who spoke to ������ on its opening day.

One man, taking his second trip on the metro, shared: “I came with my daughter who studies in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). We live in the south of Riyadh, so by car, the journey usually takes an hour and a half in the morning traffic. With the metro, it only took 40 minutes.”

Similarly, 28-year-old bank assistant Shereen explained that by car, it used to take her 50 minutes to get from her house to KAFD, but with the opening of the new station, her journey now only takes 23 minutes. Shereen added that, in addition to saving time, she expects the metro to save her a considerable amount of money.

Despite these time-saving benefits, there is recognition that transitioning commuters from cars to the metro won’t happen overnight.

An employee of the metro company told ������: “We expect passengers will initially use the metro more for leisure purposes and exploration before it becomes part of their daily routine. We anticipate the highest numbers of passengers in the evenings and on weekends during the initial phase.”

A cornerstone of Vision 2030

According to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the project is not just an infrastructure upgrade but also aligns with .

First announced in 2016, the vision aims to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil by boosting private sector growth, with the metro playing a crucial role in achieving this goal.

For Ahmed, the project also supports Saudi Arabia’s tourism objectives by making it easier for visitors to travel between the city’s many attractions. For example, with the metro being connected to , it is expected that this will enhance tourism and simplify travel for international visitors.

That said, Saudi Arabia is just days away from being awarded the , while Riyadh will also host — events that are projected to attract millions of visitors.

Beyond tourism and major events, the metro is envisioned to promote economic mobility by connecting the city’s neighbourhoods and commercial districts. This is closely tied to the , which aims to encourage multinational companies to establish their regional operations in Saudi Arabia.

Finally, the construction of the metro has had a significant economic impact. Approximately during the construction phase, making the project an important economic engine.

Project setbacks��

The project, like many large-scale projects, has faced significant challenges, as previously reported by ������.

Originally set to open in 2019, the project has been delayed several times due to various issues, including financial disputes between Saudi authorities and foreign contractors. For example, reports�����Ի徱�����ٱ���that several international companies struggled to settle their contracts on time, affecting both budgets and schedules.

This issue eventually escalated into a diplomatic matter, with the US, French, and Spanish embassies intervening to raise concerns about unpaid dues with Saudi officials.

The project has also faced ��and logistical issues during the pandemic, leaving many construction workers stranded abroad and contributing to the metro opening five years later than expected.

The biggest challenge, however, has been financial and reflects a wider trend in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 mega-projects, such as the high-profile NEOM initiative.

Like the metro, NEOM has faced delays and changes. Officials admit that some projects, like The Line, are being scaled back due to financial and logistical issues.

Currently, the repeated delays and financial problems in Vision 2030 projects have raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s ability to meet its ambitious timelines, honour contracts, and maintain investor confidence.

On that note, it was also that in November 2024, David Grover, the former CEO of the PIF-backed property company Roshn, filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming $100 million in unpaid bonuses and breach of contract.

Although these challenges create uncertainty about the future of Saudi Arabia’s plans, the Riyadh Metro appears to be moving ahead, with full operations set to .

Thilde Asmussen is a freelance journalist based in Riyadh, whose work focuses on the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen and Saudi Arabia

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