The Riyadh Metro Red Line extension has taken another step after the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) awarded a contract to design and build the new section, as noted by RCRC. The project will add 8.4 kilometres to the Red Line and include five additional stations.

Riyadh Metro Red Line extension: 8.4 km, five stations
Photo: RCRC

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The extension is planned to run from King Saud University to the Diriyah Gate Development area. RCRC says the work supports the expansion of the capital’s public transport network and aims to improve links between residential districts and key destinations, including educational institutions, cultural sites and healthcare facilities.

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Scope of the Riyadh Metro Red Line extension

Most of the alignment is set to be delivered below ground. The scope covers about 7.1 kilometres of deep underground tunnels and around 1.3 kilometres of elevated track, as reported by Railway Gazette.

Two of the new King Saud University stations will sit within the university campus. One is intended to serve the medical city and health colleges, while the other is planned for the main university concourse.

New stations in Diriyah and a future Line 7 interchange

Diriyah will add three more stations as part of the extension. One of them is expected to be designed as a future interchange with the planned Line 7.

RCRC has stated that construction of the Red Line extension is expected to take around six years to complete.

Riyadh Public Transport Project and rising ridership

The Riyadh Public Transport Project began operations in November 2024, with the metro positioned as a central part of the wider city transport network alongside buses and other public transport modes—an early phase of which was also covered by Railway Supply.

Eng. Ibrahim Al-Sultan, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief Executive Officer of RCRC, said demand has increased since services started, with cumulative ridership reported to have exceeded 173 million passenger journeys.

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