The stations are built using a modular approach, with design elements that are common to all stations along the route. The steel columns and arches form freestanding structural trees that are repeated on a square grid and connect to form a flexible vaulted roof, inspired by the colonnades found in many traditional buildings in the region. The vaults in each station are of a different colour, responding to the identity of the different cities. The stations are designed to serve up to 20,000 passengers per hour at their peak. Therefore, the arrangement of spaces follows the direction of travel, and helps passengers navigate the stations intuitively, with few level changes and the interior spaces provide respite from the heat of the desert. The vaulted roof and walls contain small openings that draw beams of daylight down to the concourse level, carefully controlling the intense glare from the sun and creating a calm, atmospheric and well-lit environment. Spherical chandeliers, suspended between the arches, provide focused lighting, mediating between the scale of the roof and concourse level and accentuating the rhythm of the structure. One of the primary challenges in the project was that the design and construction of the stations was carried out completely independent of the civil works and track installation. Therefore, the stations were designed, and workflows planned, to allow civil works to continue in parallel. In addition to operational and structural flexibility, the stations also offer seamless connections to other intracity transport networks, particularly with the Jeddah Metro as well as the developments surrounding the stations.
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