Sattam wants monorail project expedited

The higher supervisory committee overseeing the implementation of the public transport system in Riyadh held its second meeting Tuesday to examine bids from a number of consortia vying for a contract to implement a monorail project in the capital.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Sattam, who is also chairman of the High Commission For Riyadh Development (HCRD), chaired the meeting. Several ministers, including Ibrahim Al-Assaf, minister of finance; Jabara Al-Seraisry, transport minister; Shuwaish bin Saud Al-Duwaihi, acting minister of municipal and rural affairs; and other high-ranking officials were among those present.
They examined the bids from companies who have submitted prequalification bids for the monorail project.
Prince Sattam issued a directive to complete the qualification procedures and other formalities quickly.
A shortlist of consortia for the contract will be drawn ip once the prequalification process is finished.
The committee was briefed on the work completed so far and implementation of various components of the electric train network, which once completed will incorporate six main routes covering a total length of about 175 km.
When operational, the network will form the backbone of the public transport system in Riyadh, covering densely populated areas in the city center, government facilities, commercial centers and link to King Khaled International Airport, King Abdullah financial districts and major universities.
It will relieve pressure on the roads and also ease traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
According to an HCRD source, the network will use state-of-the-art technology to help its integration with a network of buses and other modes of transport.
Trains will operate without a driver.
The air conditioning system will work both inside the trains and also at the stations.
The communications system has been designed to cater to people with special needs.
The train stations are also designed to facilitate easy movement between the train and other means of transport through public parking facilities for cars as well as supporting facilities for the network such as maintenance and warehouse stations, offices and depots for the trains and control centers.
Three hundred and ninety-one companies from 50 countries applied during the prequalification process.
HCRD invited companies specialized in this field, which meet international standards and have proven experience. Companies were asked to provide technical and financial bids.