Saudi Arabia unveils the world's longest driverless train system
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Jan 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Spanning 176 kilometers and connecting key districts, business centers, and cultural landmarks throughout the capital city.
Saudi Arabia is actively diversifying its tourism sector as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to attract 150 million visitors by 2030. This strategy includes the development of mid-market hotels and budget-friendly tourism options, particularly along the Red Sea coast.
Skift
Orange Line connected the system
According to Gulf News, Saudi Arabia launched the Riyadh Metro in December 2024, marking the debut of the world's longest driverless train system. The network spans 176 kilometers, linking key districts, business centers, and cultural landmarks across the capital. The metro is connected to Orange Line (Line 3), part of one of the world’s largest urban mobility infrastructure projects.
The Orange Line is the longest in the Saudi Capital’s impressive metro network, which was officially inaugurated last november. And official open january 6 this year.
Additionally, The US Sun is writing that Saudi Arabia has introduced its first cruise ship, Aroya, embarking on its maiden voyage from Jeddah on December 11, 2024. The luxury liner, featuring 1,700 cabins across 19 decks, aims to enhance the country's appeal as a cruise destination.
The US Sun
These initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and expanding its tourism offerings to attract a diverse range of international visitors.
Reducing its dependence on oil
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is a bold plan launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil. The initiative outlines ambitious reforms in various sectors, including tourism, entertainment, infrastructure, and technology, with the goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for business, culture, and tourism by 2030. The overarching objective is to transform Saudi Arabia into a more modern and diversified economy while maintaining its traditional roots and culture.
Tourism as a central focus
A key element of Vision 2030 is the diversification of the economy through a major expansion of the tourism sector. The country aims to increase the number of annual visitors to 100 million by 2030 and attract investments worth billions of dollars. To achieve this, the government has undertaken numerous projects to create world-class tourism destinations and improve infrastructure.
One of the most notable initiatives under this plan is the Red Sea Project, which includes the development of luxury resorts, hotels, and new islands along the Red Sea coastline. The project is expected to create over 70,000 jobs and draw millions of international visitors. Additionally, the government has made strides to attract global tourists by offering e-visas, simplifying travel procedures, and allowing for greater accessibility to key landmarks and cultural sites. Saudi Arabia has also focused on hosting international events, including sports competitions, music festivals, and conferences, to attract global attention.
Major upcoming projects
Neom – The Future City One of the most ambitious projects under Vision 2030 is Neom, a $500 billion futuristic city being built in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia. This mega-city will be powered by renewable energy, have no cars or roads, and integrate artificial intelligence in nearly every aspect of life. Neom is envisioned to be a global center for innovation and technology, with industries ranging from biotech to entertainment. One of the most notable features of the city is The Line, a 170-kilometer urban development with two parallel skyscrapers connected by ultra-fast transportation, offering a radical new approach to city planning.
Red Sea Project - The Red Sea Project aims to transform the Red Sea coastline into an ultra-luxury tourism destination. This includes building luxury resorts on pristine islands, an airport, and a marina for yachts. The project also seeks to make the region a hub for sustainable tourism, with an emphasis on preserving marine life and the surrounding environment. The project is expected to bring millions of tourists to Saudi Arabia each year.
Riyadh Metro - The Riyadh Metro, launched in 2024, is part of the kingdom’s ongoing effort to modernize its capital city. This metro system will span 176 kilometers, making it the world’s longest driverless train system. It will connect major areas of Riyadh, including the King Khalid International Airport, business centers, and tourist spots. This will not only help ease congestion but also encourage tourism and improve overall urban mobility.
Al-Ula heritage and archaeological Sites - The Al-Ula Project aims to restore and preserve Saudi Arabia's ancient heritage sites, with a particular focus on the Al-Ula region, home to the ancient Nabatean city of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This project includes the development of world-class facilities for tourists, such as luxury hotels and cultural centers, designed to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich history and culture.
The Qiddiya Entertainment City Qiddiya is an entertainment and leisure complex located just outside Riyadh. When complete, it will house a range of theme parks, sports venues, cultural attractions, and resorts, designed to make Saudi Arabia a major global entertainment destination. It’s expected to bring in millions of visitors annually and help diversify the economy by expanding the entertainment and leisure sectors.
Saudi Green Initiative - The Saudi Green Initiative is another critical element of Vision 2030. The initiative aims to improve the country’s environmental sustainability by planting 10 billion trees across the nation, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing renewable energy sources. This effort will contribute to making Saudi Arabia a leader in green technologies and sustainable development in the Middle East.
Tourism and cultural shifts
Beyond infrastructure projects, Vision 2030 also aims to change the cultural fabric of Saudi Arabia, making it more open and accessible to international tourists. In 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced a new tourist visa, allowing visitors from multiple countries to experience the kingdom's history, culture, and modern attractions. Major cultural festivals, like the Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season, have been launched to showcase the country's entertainment, food, and arts scenes.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been hosting major sporting events like the Formula E racing, WWE matches, and the Saudi International golf tournament, in an effort to bring global attention to the country. The government has also been investing in establishing museums, art galleries, and concert venues to highlight the nation's growing cultural offerings.
Social reforms
In addition to its ambitious Vision 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides in advancing social reforms, particularly in improving women’s rights and fostering a more liberal atmosphere. Over the past few years, the country has implemented a series of changes aimed at modernizing its society and expanding freedoms, especially for women.
One of the most notable changes has been the easing of restrictions on women’s rights. In 2018, Saudi Arabia lifted the longstanding ban on women driving, allowing them greater mobility and independence. Since then, the government has continued to introduce reforms, including allowing women to travel abroad without a male guardian's approval, and granting them the right to participate more fully in the workforce and the military.
Entertainment and nightlife
In line with these reforms, Saudi Arabia has also opened its doors to a more vibrant entertainment and nightlife scene. The country has launched a number of high-profile events, such as concerts by international artists, sporting events like Formula E and the Saudi International golf tournament, and cultural festivals like Riyadh Season. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has recently approved the opening of nightclubs and other entertainment venues in major cities, marking a significant shift toward a more open and diverse cultural landscape.
Critical human right organizations
While Saudi Arabia has made notable strides in advancing women’s rights and implementing social reforms, significant human rights concerns remain. Human rights organizations continue to highlight issues such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the treatment of dissidents and activists. Despite the progress in areas like women’s mobility and entertainment, critics argue that political repression, restrictions on independent media, and the lack of legal reforms related to freedom of expression persist as major obstacles.
Dissidents imprisoned or exiled
Saudi Arabia has been criticized for its treatment of human rights activists, with several prominent dissidents imprisoned or exiled. The government has also been accused of limiting the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and political opposition groups. Additionally, while women have gained more rights in recent years, certain discriminatory practices, such as male guardianship in some aspects of life and limited representation in high-ranking positions, continue to draw scrutiny from global human rights advocates.
War in Yemen
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's involvement in the war in Yemen and reports of civilian casualties have been a focal point for international human rights organizations. These concerns raise questions about the kingdom's broader commitment to human rights reforms, as some argue that its recent initiatives are primarily aimed at improving its international image rather than achieving meaningful change for all citizens.
