The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has awarded a hefty US$900 million Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract to the ANM consortium to extend Line 2 of the Riyadh Metro system. The announcement came late Sunday, reinforcing the city’s aggressive push to expand its rapid transit network.
A significant boost for Riyadh’s rapid transit roll‑out
The Riyadh Metro, part of the larger King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, began limited operations in December 2024 and was fully operational by January 2025. It now comprises six driverless lines, covering 176 km and serving 85 stations, with Siemens, Bombardier/Alstom, L&T, and others delivering rolling stock and systems.
Line 2 (also known as the Red Line) runs east–west from King Saud University to the southern suburban area. The extension, to be built by ANM, will push the western end further, likely towards the west side of King Saud University, through the Diplomatic Quarter, and potentially reaching Diriyah. The added route is expected to improve connectivity in rapidly growing residential and business corridors.
ANM consortium: A heavyweight on board
ANM, short for Arriyadh New Mobility, is a powerhouse of local and international firms. The consortium includes:
- Build (previously Impregilo, then Salini‑Impregilo)
- Bombardier (now part of Alstom)
- Ansaldo
- Larsen & Toubro
- Nesma & Partners
- WorleyParsons
- IDOM
This joint venture already contributed to building the Orange Line (Line 3) of the Riyadh Metro. The current contract is part of their ongoing involvement in advancing the network.
The Impact of the Contract
The $900 million EPC contract covers all design, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning required for the extension. Although the engineering and construction phase is expected to span several years, exact timelines were not disclosed in the preliminary announcement.
According to RCRC, the extended Line 2 segment will enhance ride quality, reduce vehicle dependency, and significantly cut traffic-related emissions. Completion of the project will support Riyadh Vision 2030’s drive toward sustainable urban growth and mass public transport ridership of 3.6 million passengers per day.
Riyadh Metro at a glance
- Operator / Owner: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
- System size: 176 km, six lines, 85 stations
- Rolling stock: Siemens Inspiro on Blue/Red; Bombardier‑Alstom Innovia 300 on Orange; Alstom Metropolis on Yellow, Green, Purple
- Daily ridership (design): Up to 3.6 million
The metro’s launch in December 2024 attracted widespread attention. Within days, 1.9 million trips were logged. Lines 1, 4, and 6 opened first (December 1), followed by Lines 2 and 5 on December 15, and final Line 3 in early January 2025.
Industry-wide ripple effects
This contract further solidifies momentum behind Saudi Arabia’s public transport and infrastructure investments. It follows recent major awards such as Sepco3’s 700 MW wind project, Al Futtaim’s $666 million stake acquisition in Cenomi, and KBR’s EPCM award in Basra, all announced the same weekend.
Local firms in consortia like ANM benefit directly from design, manufacturing, and labor, fueling broader economic diversification outside oil. Additionally, global engineering firms collaborating with Saudi partners enhance knowledge transfer and technological capability in line with the country’s industrial goals.
With construction set to begin imminently, the metro extension is expected to complement future plans for Line 7, proposed to connect King Khalid Airport terminals to Qiddiya via emerging urban zones. While detailed schedules are forthcoming, officials anticipate commissioning the westward Line 2 extension in sync with Riyadh’s broader urban growth over the next few years.
