International Railway Journal - October 2008 - (Page 19) ers pace “Most journeys in Dubai are by car, so it is essential we show people what the metro will be like and how easy it is to use.” Nick Brown prepare the public for the opening. Most journeys in Dubai are by car, so it is essential we show people what the metro will be like and how easy it is to use. We’re working with RTA to prepare passengers for the metro so they know what to expect from day one.” RTA expects to award contracts soon for the construction of the next two metro lines. The 49km Purple Line will run from Dubai International Airport to the massive new Al Maktoum International Airport via Al Khail Road, and will include four intermediate stations with airport check-in facilities. Parsons Brinckerhoff has been awarded a contract to provide initial design and consultancy services for the Dirhams 10 billion project, which is due for completion by 2012. Studies are now underway for the 50km Blue Line, which will also serve the two airports, running via Emirates Road. The Blue Line will open in 2015, and in the longer term RTA envisages an extension beyond Dubai International Airport to serve the Palm Deira and other waterfront developments. RTA is also planning to extend the Red Line from Jebel Ali Free Zone to the Abu Dhabi border. Ultimately a network of eight metro lines could be constructed to serve the city. delivered. Each train has three classes of passenger accommodation - Golden Class (business), Women and Children’s Class, and Silver Class (economy). Static and dynamic testing of the trains began in April, and the programme was stepped up in September to cover the 11km section of the Red Line from Jebel Ali depot to Ibn Batuta. “The delivery of the test track is the most vital component of the entire Dubai metro project,” explains Al Hammadi. “This will allow us to receive trains, test them and release them for service once the line is completed.” Serco, Britain, has a five-year contract to operate and maintain the Red and Green lines. “This is our first rail operation in the region, but we can draw on resources from our rail operations in Britain to help us make Dubai a world-class metro,” says Mr Nick Brown, chief executive of Serco Integrated Transport. “Over the next year we have to carry out 70,000 man hours of staff training, and we need to As part of its 2020 transport strategy, RTA envisages the construction of 270km of light rail lines to serve less densely-trafficked corridors. In May it awarded a ƒ500 million contract to build, operate and maintain the Al Safooh tramway to the ABS consortium which comprises Alstom, Besix, Belgium, and Serco. Parsons will carry out detailed design work on the project, while Systra, France, will act as consultants to RTA. The 14km line will have 19 stations and will run along Al Safooh Road from Madinat Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates to Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence. The line will be elevated around Dubai Marina, and interchanges will be built with Red Line metro stations at Mall of the Emirates, Marina, and Jumeirah Lake Towers. The Construction is now underway on Red Line stations. IRJ October 2008 19
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