PUBLIC TRANSPORT & MOBILITY IN SAUDI ARABIA: REIMAGINING CITIES WITH VISION 2030
- Océane Caron
- Sep 9
- 2 min read
In 2025, Saudi Arabia is accelerating its urban transformation by making mobility a central pillar of Vision 2030. The goal is clear: turn Saudi cities into global economic, sustainable, and connected hubs capable of competing with the world’s leading metropolises. More than SAR 38 billion (≈ $10.1 billion USD) has already been invested in transport infrastructure, with the urban mobility market projected to exceed $25 billion USD by 2030.
1. Riyadh Metro: a pivot for sustainable mobility
Launched between December 2024 and January 2025, the Riyadh Metro is now the world’s longest automated metro system: 176 km, 6 lines, 85 stations, and a capacity of 3.6 million passengers/day. In its first three months, it carried over 25 million passengers, reducing daily car trips by 250,000 and saving 400,000 liters of fuel per day. Beyond transport, the metro is reshaping Riyadh’s economic geography, creating new commercial zones around key stations and attracting retail and real estate investments.
2. Integrated bus network and multimodal connectivity
The Riyadh Public Transport Project includes a bus network fully integrated with the metro: 53 lines, about 700 buses, 2,900 stations, spanning 1,900 km. Unified ticketing and mobile apps provide smooth journeys and reduced transfer times. This integration improves access to residential and industrial areas, opening opportunities for new logistics and real estate projects.
3. Strategic intercity rail projects and regional connectivity
The Saudi Landbridge will connect Jeddah (Red Sea) to Dammam (Gulf) via Riyadh over 1,500 km, reducing freight transport times from 7 days to less than 18 hours. Estimated at $7 billion USD, the project is in the design RFP phase. The Haramain High-Speed Rail, already operational, serves up to 60 million passengers/year at 300 km/h between Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and KAEC. In NEOM, a future hydrogen-powered rail network is being planned to link The Line with other special economic zones.
4. Sustainable mobility and cutting-edge technology in Saudi Arabia
Vision 2030 aims to cut urban transport-related emissions by 50% by 2030. Key initiatives include electric bus fleets and rapid charging infrastructure, autonomous vehicle testing in pilot districts, and smart mobility hubs integrating ride-sharing, micro-mobility, and AI-powered traffic management. NEOM and Red Sea Global are already serving as living labs for these innovations.
5. Strategic opportunities for investors and foreign businesses
Mobility development is creating demand for smart ticketing and digital integration solutions, public-private partnerships for financing and operations, and expertise in sustainable urban design and logistics optimization. Early movers enjoy not only access to a high-growth market but also the competitive advantage of brand visibility and local partnerships.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is not just building roads and rails it’s redefining how people and businesses interact with cities and regions.
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This article was written with the assistance of AI.
