UAE: The Dubai government's Roads & Transport Authority announced on April 29 that the ABS consortium of Alstom, Besix and Serco has been selected to undertake the Al Sufouh tram project, also known as the Yellow Line. Final negotiations will now begin before a contract is signed.
The 10 km first phase will open by 2011, with 13 stops and 11 Citadis 402 trams. An option in the contract will cover the second phase, a planned 4 km extension with six more stations and 14 additional trams.
On completion the line will link Madinat Jumeirah, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence. There will be interchanges with the Red Line of the Dubai metro at Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina and Ibn Battuta Mall. Alstom said its share of the €500m Phase 1 contract will be worth around €280m, including supplying the trams, signalling and ticketing systems.
The line will use the catenary-free APS ground-level power supply pioneered in Bordeaux and since ordered by the French cities of Reims, Angers and Orléans. APS was originally developed to protect historic architectural environments, but Alstom said the 'cutting-edge technology fits with the modernity of the city of Dubai.'
The tram stops will be equipped with platform screen doors to enable the provision of air-conditioning for passenger comfort.
