New Inspiro metro vehicles unveiled for Riyadh

Siemens has unveiled its new Inspiro type metro vehicles for the Riyadh mass transit project, offering 2 and 4-car trains designed for the region’s extreme climate.

Siemens has presented the first Inspiro metro vehicle for the world’s biggest mass transit project. With six lines and a total route length of 175 kilometres, Riyadh is building the world’s largest metro project. Siemens will deliver 74 vehicles, the electrification system, signalling and communication equipment for driverless operation on Lines 1 and 2. Siemens was awarded the order in 2013 by the High Commission for Urban Development (ArRiyadh Development Authority) gaining a total share of some 1.5 billion euros.

Siemens to deliver 74 driverless Inspiro metro vehicles

“Our project teams in Vienna and Saudi Arabia poured all their heart and soul into the development and completion of the first train which is specially equipped for the extreme climatic conditions in Riyadh. So we are especially proud to be the first of the three consortia to present our vehicle to the public,” says Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Mobility. The first train is currently being tested for extreme conditions in the climatic wind tunnel at Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA) in Vienna. In spring 2016, dynamic testing will commence at the Siemens Test and Validation Center in Wildenrath, Germany.

The all-aluminum built Inspiro metro trains are designed to run on standard-gauge track at a top speed of 90 km/h. The 2 and 4-car train configurations have been designed with the region’s climate in mind. One such feature is a more powerful air conditioning system, capable of delivering sufficient cooling capacity even in extreme heat. In addition, the bogies, traction drive, brakes and doors have been fitted with special elements in order to prevent sand entering the vehicle.

Siemens is also responsible for integration of the railway systems on Lines 1 and 2, which cover a total of 64 route kilometres.

The population of Riyadh has doubled to more than six million people since 1990. To alleviate congestion, investment in infrastructure has been actioned to solve local traffic problems.