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By RODOLFO C. ESTIMO JR.
RIYADH: French firm Alstom organized a visit for 40 international journalists to its Katowice plant in Poland to showcase Riyadh Metro’s train car production, the Riyadh Development Authority (RDA) said on its website.
The High Commission for the Development of Riyadh (HCDR) awarded Alstom, a world leader in integrated railway systems, a contract to manufacture 69 out of 190 Riyadh Metro trains.
During the visit, the delegation watched a film detailing Riyadh Metro, also called the King Abdul Aziz Public Transport Project, which will “comprehensively change the lifestyle in the Saudi capital by providing safe, sustainable and modern transportation services.”
The delegation also watched a presentation on Riyadh Metro cars’ internal and external designs, and embedded technologies.
The tour included completed trains, and journalists explored features including audiovisual information systems; communication, lighting and air-conditioning systems; and safety and security systems.
Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Hazzani, RDA architectural projects program manager, said the project will contribute to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting a metropolitan economic infrastructure, and qualify Riyadh to become one of the world’s top 100 cities.
Al-Hazzani added that the project’s 190 driverless trains are being manufactured by three of the world’s largest manufacturers: Siemens of Germany, Bombardier of Canada and Alstom.
He said the completed trains will be tested before being shipped to the Saudi capital. He added that the car design is friendly to people with special needs, and is compatible with the climate requirements of Riyadh.
© Arab News 2017
