Cairo – Decypha: France’s Alstom has handed over the first of 69 metro train sets for the Riyadh Metro lines 4, 5 and 6 to the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), reported Gulf Times.
Alstom’s deal, which has a deadline end of 2018, is part of the $23 billion Riyadh Metro rail project, reported Arabian Business.
With six lines – totalling an approximate length of 176km – and 85 stations, the metro network will cover the most densely populated areas of Riyadh, including the King Khalid International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District and major educational, commercial and medical institutions.
The metro train delivered is 36 meters long and can accommodate up to 231 passengers. Each train features three classes: first, family and single – separated by a glass partition. The exterior car body features painted stripes that indicate the color of the line the metro train set will circulate on.
The metro trains are 100 % motorised, allowing them to run on gradients of up to a 6% slope. They are designed to run on standard-gauge track at a top speed of 90 km/h.
They have also been developed to cater to the region’s climate and include an air conditioning system that is capable of delivering sufficient cooling capacity even in extreme heat.
The bogies, traction drive, brakes and doors have also been fitted with special elements in order to prevent sand entering.
The project’s driverless trains are being manufactured by Germany’s Siemens, French firm Alstom and Bombardier of Canada.
The metro contract was awarded in 2013 by Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) to the FAST consortium, which includes Alstom. In February 2017, officials from ADA confirmed the project was 48% complete and on track to begin operations in 2019.
By Decypha News Editorial Team
