Sharqia Metro

Last updated
Sharqia Metro
Overview
Native nameقطار الشرقية
Area served Dammam metropolitan area
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of lines2 (projected)
Technical
System length86 km (53 mi) (projected)

The Sharqia Metro [a] is a proposed metro system planned for the Dammam metropolitan area, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Contents

History

The Sharqia Metro, also referred to as the Dammam Metro, was approved by the Saudi Council of Ministers on 19 May 2014 as part of a plan to develop an integrated public transport system for the Dammam metropolitan area in the Eastern Province. The project was planned to include 50 km of light rail, 110 km of bus rapid transit, and 350 km of feeder bus routes to connect suburban and peripheral areas. A private company was established to oversee its implementation and coordination. [1] [2]

The light rail network was designed to consist of two lines. The first line was intended to link Tarout Island with the King Fahd Causeway, passing through Qatif, Dammam, and Dhahran, while the second line was planned to connect King Fahd Road in Dammam with King Fahd International Airport. Preliminary studies were carried out to determine the final alignments and station locations, which were expected to take approximately 18 months. [3] [4]

By 2017, the project had been structured to proceed as a public–private partnership, as announced by the President of the Public Transport Authority, in line with the government’s approach to major transport infrastructure projects in the region. [5]

In 2022, the Mayor of the Eastern Province stated that work on the project was on hold. [6]

See also

Notes

  1. In Arabic: قطار الشرقية (romanized: Qiṭār Ash-Sharqiyah); Sharqia means "Eastern". The system is also known as the Dammam Metro (Arabic: قطار الدمام (romanized: Qiṭār ad-Dammām)

References

  1. "Dammam metro plans announced". Railway Gazette International. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  2. Al‑Sughair, Sultan (22 May 2014). "SR60bn EP metros to be completed by 2021". Arab News. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  3. McElroy, Cathal (20 May 2014). "Metro projects planned for Dammam and Qatif". Construction Week Online. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  4. Staff Writer (24 May 2014). "$16bn Dammam, Qatif metro to complete by 2021". Construction Week Online. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  5. Merani, Megha (7 March 2017). "Saudi Arabia to tender metro projects as PPPs". Zawya. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  6. "أمين المنطقة الشرقية: مشروع مترو الدمام توقف". Saudi TV. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2026.