ABOUT EXPERTISE BRANDS CSR NEWS Search Keolis wins 15-year Dubai contract Keolis has won a 15 year contract to operate Dubai’s world class driverless metro and tram networks. Following Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) announcement on 20 March 2021, Keolis is honoured that the company and its international partners were the successful bidders for a 9-year contract, with a possible 6-year extension and worth approximately 125 million euros per year, to operate and maintain the city’s world class metro and tram networks. The new contract provides a perfect opportunity to blend the RTA’s reputation for innovation and efficiency with Keolis’ international experience and expertise. Keolis will be the lead partner in a joint venture (JV)2, which will also deliver the talents of both Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering (MHI) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC). Both partners have already worked successfully with the RTA over several years. Under this contract, Keolis and its partners will manage Dubai’s world-leading metro and tram network from September 2021. Keolis has been a dominant force in automated metros for 40-years. The company has a track record of running one of the world’s most iconic systems in London (Docklands Light Railway) and is also the long-standing operator of choice for the world’s first automated metro in Lille. The extent of Keolis’ metro experience is reflected in the many other automated metro networks the business successfully manages across the world, which includes Lyon and Rennes in France, Doha (Qatar), Shanghai (China) and Hyderabad (India). The value of Keolis’ experience of operating tram networks across the world will be an equally important feature of the new contract. The RTA will benefit from Keolis’ expertise of operating a variety of tram networks, which includes the world’s largest network in Melbourne (Australia), Bordeaux (France) and Manchester (UK). His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) said: “We at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority are keen on ensuring the highest standards of operation, maintenance, security and safety for the metro and tram riders and achieving competitive performance indicators of operation and punctuality of journeys besides improving the quality of services provided to metro and tram riders. According to the contract, the consortium shall undertake the operation and maintenance services of the Dubai Metro Red and Green lines as well as Route 2020. It will also cater to the operation of Dubai Tram, and all assets of the metro and tram networks including trains, control centres, stations and the associated infrastructure”. Group CEO Marie-Ange Debon said: “We are honoured to have been selected, along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering and Mitsubishi Corporation, by RTA to operate and maintain Dubai’s sophisticated driverless metro system and catenary-free tram system. Keolis boasts extensive experience in managing automated metro and tram networks, and as a multimodal operator working closely with 300 public transport authorities every day to guarantee safe, reliable and passenger-focused mobility solutions, we look forward to nurturing a collaborative partnership with RTA to deliver their vision of smart, sustainable and convenient public transportation for the city.” A modern, innovative public transport network at the forefront of smart mobility Underpinning Dubai’s Smart City vision, innovation is a key feature of RTA’s metro and tram networks, which carry around 210 million passengers per year3. Harnessing modern level 4 communications-based train control (CBTC) technology, provided by Thales – which increases transport capacity by reducing the time interval between trains – the Dubai metro network is the longest fully driverless and automated metro network in the world. It features two lines (including Route 2020) spanning a total of 90 kilometers, including 15.8 km of tunnel, and 53 fully air-conditioned stations offering a host of facilities ranging from retail outlets to Wi-Fi. The metro system is embedded into a wider, multimodal network offering comprehensive and accessible travel options, which link metro stations with bus, taxi and marine services. Equipped with 129 metro trainsets (79 Kinki Sharyo metro trains delivered by Mitsubishi in 2009 and 50 Metropolis trains built by Alstom), the metro network provides easy access to key locations such as Dubai International Airport, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Healthcare City and the Expo 2020 site, where the United Arab Emirates is set to host an exceptional edition of the World Expo event for six months from October 2021. The city’s catenary-free tram network, which opened in 2014, harnesses an APS ground-level power supply system, offering passengers a convenient and comfortable travel option and without overhead catenary wires, provides great opportunities to view Dubai’s magnificent urban landscape. With a total length of 10.6 km, the city’s tram network consists of 11 stations and 11 Alstom Citadis trams, connecting to two metro stations: Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers. The tram network is equipped with cutting-edge innovations such as platform screen doors. A unique alliance that will enhance the passenger experience From September 2021, Keolis will provide shared mobility services in Dubai along with the major railway system integrator MHI and rolling stock supplier MC, partners which were both heavily involved in the construction and development of Dubai’s metro network. With Keolis in the lead, the JV will take the form of a new subsidiary called Keolis-MHI. This JV combines MHI and MC’s extensive knowledge of the Dubai’s metro network with Keolis’ experience in automated metro operations. The JV will work hand-in-hand with RTA to deliver its vision of world-class, smart and sustainable mobility for the city. Keolis-MHI will: Welcome and train around 2,000 staff members in the “Zero Harm” safety culture and “Thinking Like a Passenger” approach, which ensures that safety and passenger satisfaction are placed at the heart of its operations. Develop local communities’ expertise and talent by employing Emiratis and working with local businesses. Enhance the multi-modal journey experience with innovations in real-time passenger information and optimized timetables. Manage and improve rolling stock and infrastructure asset life cycle, through predictive maintenance and data-led processes, digitalisation and visualisation. Continue to support and exchange knowledge and best practice through a community of thousands of rail experts working across 9 metro and 26 tram networks. A track record of partnering with public transport authorities to enhance metro and tram operations in cities around the world Keolis will draw on its extensive experience in managing automated metros and trams in close partnership with public transport authorities (PTAs). Keolis works closely with 300 PTAs across the world, including: Transport for London and Transport for Greater Manchester in the UK, Department of Transport (Victoria), Transport for New South Wales (NSW), Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland), Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA), Sytral (Lyon), Bordeaux Metropole (for whom the APS tram was first deployed), MEL in Lille (which launched the world’s first automated metro), Rennes Metropole in France, Larsen & Toubro, Hyderabad in India, Shentong Metro Group (Shanghai) in China, and Qatar Rail. Dubai metro and tram networks – key figures Metro network: 90km 2 lines 53 stations 79 Kinki Sharyo metro trainsets + 50 Alstom Metropolis trainsets CBTC level 4 supplied by Thales 3 depots 1 control center Tram network: 10.6 km 11 stations 11 APS Citadis trams Share Share on LinkedIn Share via Twitter Share on Facebook Previous Next 1 2 KEOLIS WORLDWIDE OUR APPROACH CSR ABOUT NEWS CONTACT FOLLOW US © 2019 Keolis - Web designers - KD Web Cookies Policy Privacy Policy Modern Slavery Statement We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you can visit "Cookie Preferences" to provide a controlled consent. Please read more about how we collect and use data about you in this way in our Cookies Policy Cookie settings REJECT ACCEPT