glimpse inside Riyadh Metro’s ‘ride to the future’

King Abdulaziz Project for Public Transport in Riyadh recently launched the first exhibition, spread across over 5000 square meters, to create awareness regarding the significance of public transportation. It was also an opportunity to experience the use of metro for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

Once visitors enter the exhibition, they have to pass by one of the two queues meant to simulate checking-in procedures., There are two queues – one for non-registered and the other for those registered online. They QR code ensures that the visitor is informed via SMS or email. This process is part of the technology that will be used in the public transportation.

A tour guide walks with each group to the first section. He presents future Ticket Vending Machine with unified ticketing system for buses and metro, that accept credit cards and online payments via mobile phone. Machines will be distributed around the city, around the 3000 bus stops and metro stations, by the end of 2019.

“A time for change” is the headline of second section, that provides visitors with information about the current situation of Riyadh traffic, and overview of future needs in statistics.

By 2030, Riyadh’s population will grow up to 30 percent, which means more cars in the streets and longer driving time, overcrowding and pollution. Currently, an average of 6 million car accidents are reported every year, 85 percent occur on intercity highways known for high speeds. They cause around 17 deaths in the kingdom every day.

Source: Alarabiya