DUBAI, 5 September 2004 — Dubai has begun the prequalification process for the 14.3 billion dirham Dubai Light Rail Project and is likely to announce shortlisted bidders for the final design and construction of the ambitious undertaking, the Khaleej Times newspaper reported yesterday.
The first phase of the project is expected to be fully operational by 2009, while the second phase would be running three years later.
The network is to be integrated within the Public Transport Department’s overall public transit network. Bus routes will be organized around the backbone provided by the rail system. Taxi stations and park-and-ride facilities will be incorporated at key metro stations, the report said.
When fully operational, the metro system is projected to carry approximately 1.2 million passengers everyday. The system will have 18 km of tunnels, 51 km of viaduct, one major train depot and maintenance facilities site and several auxiliary stabling facilities, and two creek crossings.
The metro system will be set up around first-class modern trains, fully air-conditioned and customized to meet Dubai’s exacting requirements. Each train will be about 75 meters long and will consist of five cars, with several double doors to facilitate fast and smooth flow of passengers at stations.
The driverless trains will be fully automated and the electrical traction system to be used for the trains is proven environmentally friendly in terms of noise and gas emissions.
With frequencies as high as one every minute and a half, the fast-moving trains would have extensive window panels providing stunning views from the elevated sections over the cityscape.
