Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia is perhaps the richest country in the world, its development still lags far behind other states. For example, the subway in Saudi Arabia is a novelty and inaccessible luxury for many residents, because it is still only in two cities - Mecca and Riyadh .
Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia is perhaps the richest country in the world, its development still lags far behind other states. For example, the subway in Saudi Arabia is a novelty and inaccessible luxury for many residents, because it is still only in two cities - Mecca and Riyadh .
Features of the underground in the country
The uniqueness of the metro in Saudi Arabia is that its lines are not located underground - the subway here is ground-based. Due to the peculiarities of loose soil, it is not possible to tunnel the tunnels in the usual way, and therefore special overpasses and embankments are built for the movement of the trains. In order to climb or go down to the train, a special lift is used.
Unlike other eastern countries, where a monorail is used for above-ground movement, railroad rails are used in Saudi Arabia, the speed of the train is 100 km / h. Trains do not have a driver and are automatically controlled.
Metro in Mecca
Mecca is the first city where this type of transport appeared . Because of the large influx of pilgrims during hajj and on major holidays, the city turns into a real anthill. Traffic on the roads freezes, and it's impossible to get from one end of a huge metropolis to another. To free the roads from buses, and it was decided to build a subway.
The metro was opened in 2010. The metro line in the total length was originally 18 km and had 24 stations. Today, the passenger traffic is 1.2 million people a day, which replaces 53 thousand scheduled buses daily.
Gradually, the extension of the Red Line of the metro allowed the inclusion of Arafat Mountain, the Min and Muzdalifa valleys into the city underground. Total metro Mecca includes such lines:
- red;
- pink;
- orange;
- blue;
- yellow.
Metro Riyadh
The successful commissioning of the metro in Mecca gave grounds for the construction of the metro and in the capital. Work began in 2017, they plan to finish them by 2019. The main difference of this metro will be that it will be possible to use traditional underground lines on a par with air. Total construction of 6 lines and 81 stations is planned.
The contract for construction was won by an American company, and the cars will be supplied by Italians. The most famous station will be the one whose project was designed by American architect Zaha Hadid. It will have a size of more than 20 thousand square meters. m and will be completely built of marble and gold. Undoubtedly, this subway station will become one of the main attractions in Saudi Arabia .