After the successful rollout of the Riyadh Metro, another futuristic transport system is on the horizon for the capital. The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) is preparing to launch its very own monorail, designed to make commuting around the city’s most modern business hub smarter and faster.
Currently in its design phase, construction of the 3.6 km-long project is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. A consortium made up of CRRC, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen, and Hassan Allam is behind the project, which was first announced in October last year.
Trial operations are scheduled for early 2027, with the system expected to open to the public before the end of that year. When complete, the monorail will have a capacity of around 3,500 passengers per hour.
The development is being designed with sustainability and efficiency at its core. Featuring a driverless autopilot system, the circular elevated track will run between the district’s main towers, linking six elevated stations with six trains of two carriages each. The network will also integrate with the Riyadh Metro.
The King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) has positioned the project as a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s goals for smart, connected urban centres. By prioritising easy movement within the financial district, the monorail is intended to support the area’s role as a hub for business and investment.
Transforming mobility
Saudi Arabia’s broader public transport ambitions are also gaining momentum. Riyadh Metro, which launched in December 2024, has already reached a remarkable milestone, welcoming its 100 millionth rider in under nine months. With a punctuality rate of nearly 99.8% and key hubs like KAFD emerging as central interchange points, the metro has quickly become the backbone of Riyadh’s mobility transformation.
