Riyadh Metro has officially completed its six-line network with the launch of the orange line on Sunday. This milestone marks the end of a phased rollout that began in late November, according to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.

The orange line, running east to west, covers 41 kilometers between Jeddah Road and the Second Eastern Ring Road. Alongside this, three new stations—Al Murooj, Bank Al Bilad, and King Fahad Library—were also opened on the blue line, enhancing the metro’s connectivity within the city.

The driverless metro network now spans 176 kilometers with 85 stations, linking key areas like business hubs and cultural landmarks. Fare options include affordable passes ranging from 4 Saudi riyals ($1) for a two-hour pass to 140 riyals for a 30-day pass, as per Riyadh Public Transport’s website.

The metro is expected to play a significant role in accommodating Riyadh’s rapidly growing population, which is projected to reach up to 20 million by 2030. To further improve urban mobility, the city will also operate 80 bus routes with 842 buses serving 2,860 stops.

Officials believe the metro will boost the value of commercial and residential real estate in easily accessible areas, adding to the city’s appeal. Saudi Arabia continues to roll out large-scale projects as part of its vision for the future, focusing on infrastructure and technology.

The completion of the Riyadh Metro comes as Middle Eastern countries prioritize urban mobility to ease traffic, reduce emissions, and promote economic growth. Riyadh was the most congested city in the MENA region last year, with drivers losing 87 hours annually to traffic, according to Statista.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the region’s investments in urban infrastructure, with nearly $50 billion expected to be spent on smart city projects by 2025, according to Frost & Sullivan.