Riyadh: - Riyadh Development Authority (RDA) – previously The High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh - announced yesterday the results of its station Naming Rights auction for the Riyadh Metro network. The Authority has awarded Naming Rights for eight (8) stations to leading commercial organisations from Saudi Arabia and the region, generating a total of SR 1.045 billion (or $ 278.7 million) over the 10-year period of the contracts.
Each of the winning bidders – The Saudi British Bank (SABB); Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group; Saudi Telecom Company (STC); Alinma Bank; Bank Abilad; Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls Company; Granada Investment Center and SABIC – have been awarded with a 10-year contract, which will see their brands featured as the name of a Riyadh Metro station in a naming rights sponsorship deal.
During a ceremony at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh, presided over by HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Riyadh, the new map of the Riyadh Metro network was unveiled, featuring the logo of the winning naming rights partners at their respective stations. Among additional benefits, sponsors will also be entitled to retail space, advertising and signage within their stations, together with a range of other activation opportunities, allowing them to engage with the 3.6 million ultimate daily users of the Metro network, in a unique and innovative fashion.
“Today’s event demonstrates the success of the Riyadh Metro’s first commercial initiative. Our program has broken records and initially raised more long-term revenues than any other public transport naming rights program globally”, stated HE Tariq Al Faris, CEO of the Riyadh Development Authority. “To have many of the Kingdom’s leading companies participate in such a program demonstrates the important role they believe the Riyadh Public Transit Network will play in citizens’ lives”, added Al Faris.
All large companies meeting RDA’s strict pre-qualification auction requirements, were given a fair and equal opportunity to bid on a shortlist of Riyadh Metro stations. The latter were awarded in each case to the highest bidder, with all accepted bids required to meet or exceed the set minimum bid prices.
“We had stronger than expected interest in the naming rights opportunity and we are delighted to award eight of the 85 Metro stations to our new commercial partners,” continued Al Faris. “The companies will provide vibrant community hubs along the Metro lines through their presence, delivering convenience and unique brand experiences that will benefit network users. Moreover, the revenue generated from this initiative will be re-invested into the operation of the Metro system, to help keeping its operational costs down”, he concluded.
This is the first in a series of commercial initiatives using private sector participation to generate non-ticket revenue, in line with Vision 2030. RDA will be tendering further commercial opportunities across the entire Riyadh Public Transit System - such as retail, advertising and telecommunication - as it moves towards network operations.
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About the Riyadh Development Authority
The Riyadh Development Authority (RDA) – formerly the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh -- was established in June 1974, as the authority overseeing the development of the city of Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Headed by His Royal Highness the Governor of the Riyadh Province, it is in charge of the strategic development of the capital in the areas of infrastructure, environment, culture, education, health, transportation and landscaping.
Besides setting city-wide policies and regulations, it coordinates between all ministries and other government entities, municipalities, utility companies, as well as the private sector, for the urban planning and development of Riyadh. Over the past four decades, RDA has been responsible for the execution of major landmark projects in the city, namely: The Qasr Al-Hoqm District Development Program, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, the Wadi Hanifah Environmental Rehabilitation Program, the Historical Al Daria Development Program (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and finally the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport (Metro & Buses).
For more information, visit www.rda.gov.sa
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