Alstom trainset production begins for Riyadh Metro

Construction of the first trainset for the Riyadh Metro has begun at Alstom’s Katowice plant in Poland in a contract worth €1.2 billion.

Production on the first three Riyadh Metro trainsets has begun as part of a €5.8 billion contract awarded in 2013 by Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) to the FAST consortium, consisting of FCC, Samsung, Alstom, Freyssinet Saudi Arabia, Strukton, Setec and Typsa. The consortium will design and construct lines 4,5 and 6 of the Riyadh Metro network. Alstom will deliver a total of 69 Metropolis trainsets for Riyadh.

Metropolis for Riyadh Metro consists of two cars per set at 36m in length

Metropolis for Riyadh is composed of two cars per set and is 36 metres long. Each train features three classes: first class, family and single. The train is driverless and is 100 percent motorised, allowing it to run on the slopes with gradients up to 6 percent. Production, final static and dynamic tests will be carried out at Alstom’s Katowice plant in Poland.

According to Alstom, the trains will offer passengers a high level of comfort, ergonomic seating, LED lightning, air conditioning and an advanced passenger information system. In addition to the Metropolis trainsets, Alstom will provide Urbalis, its Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling solution, as well as the power supply and its energy recovery system HESOP. All sub systems have been optimised together to reduce energy consumption.

A full-size mock-up of the Metropolis trainset will soon be unveiled by ADA to Riyadh citizens.