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-kilometer 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 start December 1st with Red Line officially commencing passenger operations on December 15.
This state-of-the-art transportation 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.
Metro Riyadh: Automated, driverless metro trains, photo source: © Siemens Mobility
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, stated: “Riyadh is rapidly growing and thriving economically. To support a growing population, the Saudi Arabian Government is implementing one of the world’s largest public transport systems. This investment creates an efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation network, generates thousands of jobs, and boosts the economy. The Blue and Red lines include fully automated operations, enabling shorter headways between trains to significantly increase passenger capacity. They offer digital and sustainable travel options for Riyadh´s citizens and represent a flagship project for Siemens Mobility´s Turnkey business.”
Riyadh’s impressive mass transit project consists of six metro lines spanning a total of 176 kilometres, alongside a fleet of 842 buses covering 1,900 kilometres of route length. Siemens Mobility has played a crucial role in this development not only by delivering 67 Inspiro trains but also by equipping the Blue Line and Red Line with the latest version of the Communications-based Train Control System [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, photo source: © Siemens Mobility
Siemens Builds Driverless Metro System in Riyadh
To support a growing population by 2030, the Saudi Arabian Government is implementing one of the world’s largest public transport systems, photo source: Siemens Mobility
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 centre, enabling flexible train lengths based on demand. The Inspiro trains offer comprehensive passenger information for announcements and multimedia information to enhance travel experiences. The metros in Riyadh ensure optimized energy consumption, low maintenance costs, and high recyclability. 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: Pioneering Saudi Arabia’s Transportation Infrastructure
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.
