Kuwait Metro: 2026 Construction Update & Route Map

Kuwait’s metro system, part of a larger GCC railway network, aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve urban mobility. The project’s completion is crucial for Kuwait City’s future.

Kuwait Metro: 2026 Construction Update & Route Map
November 6, 2020 5:06 pm
A+
A-

Kuwait Metro System: Project Profile

The Kuwait Metro System is a large-scale mass rapid transit initiative designed to provide a strategic solution to Kuwait City’s severe urban traffic congestion. The project constitutes a critical component of Kuwait’s national development plan and the wider GCC railway network, aiming to establish a high-capacity, automated public transport backbone for the metropolitan area.

AttributeDetails
Project NameKuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System (Kuwait Metro)
LocationKuwait City, Kuwait
System Length~91.4 km (Initial Four-Line Phase)
Design SpeedUp to 90 km/h
Estimated CostComponent of the broader $25 billion GCC railway network; project-specific cost under review.
Project Status (Nov 2025)Phase 1: Pre-Construction / Tendering
Key Contractors & ConsultantsOverseen by Public Authority for Roads and Transport (PART). Feasibility/Design by INECO, WSP (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff), Al Dashti, Kuwait United Development group.

Technical Specifications

The Kuwait Metro network is planned as a four-line system to be tendered in separate phases. The initial design specifies a total of 76 stations across approximately 91.4 kilometers of track. Line 1 (23.7 km) will form a north-south axis connecting the southern metropolitan region to the city center. Line 2 (21 km) will serve as an east-west corridor linking the main business district with dense residential zones. Line 3 (24 km) is planned to service the western urban areas, while Line 4 (22.7 km) will provide a critical link from the city center to Kuwait International Airport (KIA) and the Shuwaikh Industrial Zone. The system is anticipated to feature fully automated, driverless rolling stock operating on standard gauge track, utilizing an advanced Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system for high-frequency operations. Future expansion plans include a 57.3 km extension for Line 1 and a 16.4 km extension for Line 2 to accommodate projected urban growth.

Key Takeaways

  • Strategic Decongestion: The primary objective is to significantly reduce vehicular traffic and commute times in Kuwait City, which is currently overwhelmed by high car ownership rates.
  • Economic Catalyst: The project will create a new public transport spine, enhancing connectivity between commercial, industrial, and residential zones, thereby fostering economic productivity and accessibility.
  • Sustainable Urban Development: By offering a high-capacity, energy-efficient alternative to private vehicles, the metro will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, aligning with Kuwait’s long-term sustainability goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the Kuwait Metro open?

The Kuwait Metro project has experienced significant planning and logistical delays. As of late 2025, the project is in a pre-construction and tendering stage for its initial phase. An official opening date has not yet been announced by the Public Authority for Roads and Transport (PART) pending the finalization of contracts and commencement of construction.

Who is building the Kuwait Metro?

The Kuwait Metro project is being managed by the Kuwaiti government’s Public Authority for Roads and Transport (PART). The initial feasibility studies and preliminary designs were developed by an international consortium that included the Spanish transport engineering firm INECO, the global engineering firm WSP (which acquired Parsons Brinckerhoff), and local Kuwaiti partners Al Dashti and Kuwait United Development group. The main construction contracts are expected to be awarded through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.