Riyadh Metro Sees Over 18 Million Passengers Within 11 Weeks

Since its public launch 11 weeks ago, Riyadh Metro - designed by Zaha Hadid Architects - has served over 18 million passengers.

Developed by the Royal Commission for the Riyadh City (RCRC), the metro enhances connectivity across key commercial, business, and cultural hubs while reducing congestion and travel time. With a projected 3.6 million daily passengers, this system represents an environmentally sustainable alternative for many.

At the heart of the Riyadh Metro is the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station. Serving over three million passengers since opening, it acts as a crucial interchange linking the King Khalid International Airport, the KAFD monorail, and the city’s bus system.

Another innovation by Zaha Hadid Architects, the station was designed with circulation efficiency in mind, modelled on a sequence of opposing sinewaves derived from variations in the station’s daily traffic rhythms. This geometric design extends to the exterior, whose otherworldly waveforms reduce solar heat gain, working alongside a renewably-powered cooling system to maintain a comfortable comfort for its passengers.

The KAFD Metro Station has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council in recognition of its sustainability.