Riyadh Metro Launches Red and Green Lines

The Red Line is 25.1 kilometers long while the Green Line is 13.3 kilometers long. SPA
The Red Line is 25.1 kilometers long while the Green Line is 13.3 kilometers long. SPA
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Riyadh Metro Launches Red and Green Lines

The Red Line is 25.1 kilometers long while the Green Line is 13.3 kilometers long. SPA
The Red Line is 25.1 kilometers long while the Green Line is 13.3 kilometers long. SPA

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced the roll-out of two additional lines (Red: King Abdullah Road, and Green: King Abdulaziz Road) of the Riyadh Metro on Sunday; passengers have access to stations on the two lines from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.
Five out of the six metro lines are now operational.
The Red Line is 25.1 kilometers long, and runs from east to west along King Abdullah Road, connecting King Fahd Sports City to King Saud University across 15 stations, including the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
It intersects with the Blue Line at the STC Station, with the Green Line at the Ministry of Education Station, and with the Purple Line at Al Hamra Station.
The Green Line, King Abdulaziz Road, is 13.3 kilometers long, and runs from King Abdullah Road along the Ministry of Education all the way to the National Museum.
Its 12 stations serve several government entities, including the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Commerce, as well as several commercial, service, and residential facilities.
All stations on the line will be open to the public on Sunday, except the Ministry of Finance and the National Museum stations, which will be operational at a later date.
The Green Line intersects with the Red Line at the Ministry of Education Station, and with the Blue Line at the National Museum Station.
According to the previously announced roll-out plan, the Orange Line (which covers Madinah Road) will open on January 5, 2025, making the Riyadh Metro network fully operational.
Passengers may identify destinations and purchase tickets using the “Darb” mobile application or at the Riyadh Metro stations.



Virgin Group Says Aims to Raise $900 Million for Rail Service Bid

FILE PHOTO: Passengers wait at the Eurostar terminal in St. Pancras International Station, in London, Britain, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Leila Dougan/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Passengers wait at the Eurostar terminal in St. Pancras International Station, in London, Britain, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Leila Dougan/File Photo
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Virgin Group Says Aims to Raise $900 Million for Rail Service Bid

FILE PHOTO: Passengers wait at the Eurostar terminal in St. Pancras International Station, in London, Britain, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Leila Dougan/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Passengers wait at the Eurostar terminal in St. Pancras International Station, in London, Britain, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Leila Dougan/File Photo

British billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group aims to raise 700 million pounds ($900 million) to fund its plan to launch cross-channel rail services as it looks to compete with Eurostar, the company said on Sunday.

Virgin, which used to operate intercity train services in Britain, plans to launch services that would connect London with Paris and Brussels. It would also extend to Amsterdam in the future.

Virgin Group intends to raise 300 million pounds in equity and 400 million pounds in debt, the company told Reuters, confirming a report in Financial Times, which was the first to report on the news.

It also plans to be a cornerstone equity investor in the project.
Virgin's plans are for a high-frequency service, which would be the first direct rival to Eurostar's 30-year-old network and could launch as soon as 2029, the company said.
"The cross-Channel route is ripe for change and would benefit from competition," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
"While Virgin is not committing to launching a service just yet, we are seeking investment from likeminded partners to invest alongside Virgin and we are delighted with the progress made so far," the company said.
Eurostar told the FT it welcomed the development of rail services in Europe, adding that "competition in the high-speed rail sector is another example of the growing demand for rail transport in Europe."
Eurostar did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.