Riyadh:The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has announced contracts for the purchase of 94 new trains, initiating the first phase of expanding the Riyadh Metro fleet. This expansion aims to accommodate future growth in mobility, align with the city's development, and prepare for major global events like Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the addition will increase the network's train count from 183 to 277, with deliveries starting in 2028. The expansion will boost the metro's capacity by 60%, with specific increases on various lines 142% on the Red Line, 116% on the Yellow Line, 60% on the Blue Line, 27% on the Orange Line, and 16% on the Purple Line.
The metro network, designed for capacity expansion, has already seen passenger numbers exceed 300 million since operations began. From January to September 2026, passenger numbers rose by about 25% compared to the same period in 2025.
Germany's Siemens and France's Alstom are handling the fleet-expansion contracts, valued at nearly SAR5.5 billion. These contracts include train manufacturing and system integration. The new trains will undergo testing and trials before entering service as each batch is delivered.
This initiative is part of RCRC's broader strategy to develop Riyadh's mobility system, focusing on roads, public transport, and traffic management, in line with the city's population and urban growth.