المملكة: From speed and design to equipment…the difference between the metro and the train

Train and metro are public transportation methods, which use railways to transport passengers. But there are some main differences between them, which we explain in the following lines:

The difference between train and metro

The train is a long-range means of transport whose service extends to transporting passengers between cities and rural areas within the country, and even extends outside the country to connect two or more countries. The train is also a means of transporting passengers and goods.
While the metro’s work is mostly limited to transporting passengers within cities or urban areas, it has no role in transporting goods.

The train usually runs at a higher speed than the metro, and the speed varies from one train to another depending on the route.
The metro is usually slower than express trains, as it is designed to stop and start quickly within the city.

Trains usually operate at low frequencies and can stop at stations for long waiting periods between trips, especially if the destination is far away.
The metro operates at high, regular, and scheduled frequencies, allowing for more frequent trips and easy access to public transportation.

Tracks and design

Most of the train’s route is on the surface of the earth, except in some areas that require the construction of tunnels and bridges that are not very long
But the metro runs mostly in tunnels, sometimes on bridges and over longer distances than on the ground. The cost of constructing metro routes is higher due to its reliance on tunnels and bridges within cities.
The design of the trains differs in the structure of the cars, and they are equipped with facilities such as seats, toilets, dining facilities, and sleeping cars.
Metros are usually designed with a tube structure or underground tunnels, and are not equipped with large facilities such as trains.

The reason for naming the metro

The reason for the name is that the first train in the world that was launched in Britain was called the “Metropolitan Train,” and because the subway line was the first in the world, the same name was given to it.

History of the Kingdom’s train

The idea of ​​establishing a railway in the Kingdom was launched when it was proposed by Aramco in the mid-sixties AH (forties AD), and it included establishing a railway line from Dammam to Riyadh, when the need arose at that time to establish a large commercial port on the Gulf coast that could receive huge ships to transport goods. Imported through it to the warehouses of the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco).
When the matter was presented to His Majesty King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud – may God have mercy on him – His Majesty ordered the complete implementation of the project to reach the capital, Riyadh, so that the implementation of the project would actually begin on Dhul-Qi’dah 26, 1366 AH (October 21, 1947 AD).

On Muharram 19, 1371 AH (October 20, 1951 AD), the line was opened in Riyadh in an official ceremony attended by King Abdulaziz, King Saud bin Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on them – and a large crowd of officials.
Since that time, the railway continued to operate under the supervision of Aramco for a period of time, until it was linked to the Ministry of Finance, and was named the Railway Authority. On Muharram 22, 1386 AH (May 13, 1966 AD), a royal decree was issued approving the founding system of the General Corporation for Railways.