RTA inspects progress and mock-up Route 2020 train for Dubai Metro

A delegation from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has visited France to check on progress in the manufacturing of 50 new trains for Dubai Metro.

Alstom presented the full-size mock-up of the Metropolis trains to HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General & Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA and his accompanying delegation in Coignères, Paris.

The trains will be supplied by Alstom as part of Route 2020 Project.

During the visit, the RTA took the opportunity to inspect the aesthetic design and the interiors of the train and validated all comfort aspects.

The Alstom-led consortium ExpoLink, composed of ACCIONA and Gulermak, has signed a contract with the RTA to design and build the extension of Dubai’s Red metro line and upgrade the system of the existing line. The total value of the project is €2.6 billion, of which Alstom’s share represents half and the civil works, led by ACCIONA including Gulermark represent the other half. The extended line, which will connect the city to the Expo 2020 site, is expected to start commercial service in 2020 for the World Expo.

Alstom will provide and integrate the whole metro system including 50 Metropolis trainsets, power supply, communication, automatic fare control, track works, platform screen doors and a three-year warranty on the whole system. Additionally, Alstom will enhance the existing metro line by upgrading power supply, signalling systems, miscellaneous communication and track works.

The Metropolis trainsets for Dubai are 88m long and composed of five cars per trainset. They will be able to carry up to 700 passengers each. The train will offer wide gangways, large doors and windows, new video broadcast systems and three specific areas for Silver, Family and Gold Classes to enhance passenger experience. Eco-friendly, the trains will be equipped with a full electrical braking system, smooth LED lighting and other innovations to reduce energy consumption.

Route 2020 extends approximately 15km from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station on the Red Line, comprising 11.8km as an elevated track and 3.2km as an underground track. It has seven stations, including an interchange station, one station at Expo site, three elevated stations and two underground stations. The capacity of Route 2020 is 46,000 riders per hour in both directions (23,000 riders per hour per direction). The ridership of the Route is expected to hit 125,000 riders per day by 2020 and the number is expected to shoot up to 275,000 riders per day by 2030.