Saudi Arabia restarted work on Jeddah Metro Rail Project under Saudi Vision 2030

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Metro Rail Today): The long-awaited Jeddah Metro project has officially restarted as of January 2026, marking a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s urban mobility ambitions under Vision 2030. Managed by the Jeddah Development Authority, the revived project begins with a strong focus on the Blue Line, setting the foundation for a comprehensive mass transit network in the Red Sea city.

The revival of the metro project is strategically aligned with Saudi Arabia’s preparations for large-scale global events, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and reflects the Kingdom’s push toward sustainable, high-capacity public transportation to support rapid urban growth.

Blue Line: First Phase of the Restart

The Blue Line, which forms the backbone of the initial phase, will play a critical role in improving east–west connectivity across Jeddah. Key features include:

• Length: ~35 km

• Stations: 15–18 planned stations

• Route: Connecting King Abdulaziz International Airport with the Haramain High-Speed Railway Station, linking major residential, commercial, and activity hubs across the city

Once operational, the Blue Line is expected to significantly reduce road congestion while offering a fast, reliable alternative to private vehicle travel.

Long-Term Vision: A Four-Line Metro Network

While the immediate emphasis is on the Blue Line, the complete Jeddah Metro master plan envisages a robust four-line network spanning over 161 km, comprising 81 stations and a fleet of 197 metro trains. The planned corridors include:

• Orange Line: Along Al-Madinah Road and Old Makkah Road (~44.8 km)

• Green Line: Serving the city centre, connecting downtown Jeddah to the Haramain railway station (~17 km)

• Red Line: Linking King Abdullah Stadium to Old Makkah Street via major arterial roads (~59.7 km)

Together, these corridors are designed to reshape mobility in Jeddah, support economic diversification, and improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Commenting on the restart of the project, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said: “The revival of the Jeddah Metro is a landmark moment for urban mobility in the Middle East. Starting with the Blue Line reflects a pragmatic, phased approach to building high-capacity transit in fast-growing cities. Integrated metro systems like this are essential not only for reducing congestion and emissions, but also for positioning Jeddah as a future-ready global city in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”

With the project back on track, the Jeddah Metro is once again poised to become a cornerstone of the city’s sustainable transport ecosystem and a flagship example of next-generation urban infrastructure in the region.