Riyadh Expands Metro, Rail and Housing Projects

Riyadh is pressing ahead with a wide package of transport and housing projects aimed at easing mobility and expanding residential capacity across the capital, including new metro trains, rail extensions and additional support for Saudi homeowners.

Riyadh Metro currently operates six lines covering 176 km with 84 stations, linking residential, commercial, educational, healthcare, airport and financial-district areas. To raise capacity, new contracts worth around SAR 5.5 billion cover 94 additional trains, with phased deliveries set to begin in 2028. The added fleet is expected to boost passenger capacity by roughly 60%.

Network expansion is also planned. The Red Line extension toward Diriyah will add five stations, including stops serving King Saud University, its medical city and Diriyah. A new Line 7 of about 65 km with 19 stations is planned to connect Qiddiya, King Abdullah International Gardens, King Salman Park, Misk City and Diriyah Gate.

For daily travel, Riyadh Bus fares start at SAR 4, with tickets valid for two hours from first check-in. Children aged six and under ride free, while eligible seniors, students, cancer patients and families of martyrs receive a 50% discount.

Housing and roads

On the residential side, housing support for Saudi citizens includes 10,000 to 40,000 plots annually for five years, with prices capped at SAR 1,500. More than 63,000 Saudi families became first-time homeowners during the first half of 2026. Road programmes in Riyadh cover around 700 km of major roads and more than 330 intersections, including over 300 bridges and 80 tunnels.

Nationally, Saudi Arabia Railways has arranged financing for 10 new passenger trains to expand intercity capacity, reflecting a broader push to improve connectivity for residents and travellers across the Kingdom.

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