The first of 11 new trams for Dubai’s Al Sufouh Tramway has arrived in the city from Alstom’s La Rochelle plant in France.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) welcomed the new Citadis vehicles which, following a period of testing, will transport passengers along the city’s new system.
The turnkey project, which includes 25 trams, signalling, track, control centre and screen doors and ticketing systems, is being delivered by Alstom.
Dubai’s tram will be the first system in the world to run solely on Alstom’s catenary-free APS system.
Once complete, Alstom will also maintain the system for 13 years on behalf of the line’s operator, Serco.
Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of RTA, said “Now that Alstom has conducted the initial systems tests on the tram in their facilities in France, we are starting technical tests on the depot’s rails and test runs on the line. All operational aspects will be continuously assessed until the line opens.”
The Al Sufouh network is being built in two phases which, once complete, will see 17 new stations opened and 25 trams in service.
Phase one is due to open by the end of 2014.
Each tram is 44 metres long, with a capacity for 408 passengers. The trams will also be split into three sections – a first class Gold Suite, a Silver Class car and a separate car for women and children.
