Thales has been selected by Alstom (leader of Expolink consortium), and Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) to deliver the systems' extension and upgrade of the Dubai metro's Red Line. The Red Line is one of the longest driverless metro lines in the world and will be used by the 25 million visitors expected at World Expo 2020.
The Alstom-led consortium Expolink[1], also composed of ACCIONA and Gulermak, has signed a contract with RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) 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 euros.
Known as Route 2020, the 15 km extension will include seven stations and is currently under construction to connect the existing network with the World Expo 2020 site. It is due to enter into service in May 2020, five months before the Expo opens.
Thales will provide a state-of-the-art driverless train signalling technology as well as integrated supervision, telecommunications, passengers’ services, security and fare collection systems. These innovative solutions are designed to optimise energy consumption, smooth passenger flows and improve IT connectivity.
Thales's ground transportation solutions have been in service on the Dubai metro for the last seven years. They include driverless train signalling systems, the control centre, integrated supervision and communications, passengers’ services, security and revenue collection systems. The Red Line (52 km before the extension) was the longest driverless metro line in the world when it began operations in 2009. This ultra-modern, mostly overhead metro running alongside the city’s main Sheikh Zayed Road, an urban highway prone to gridlock during rush hours, has succeeded in the space of a few years in easing the city’s traffic congestion. Since 2009, passenger numbers have been increasing continuously.
This latest project is a major milestone in the urban transport system of this futuristic city, which is considered particularly innovative in the transport sector in particular. It will definitely contribute to Dubaï’s objective to become the “smartest” city in the world.
Thales has now been selected again to improve urban mobility, provide the latest enhancements to the solutions already in service and equip 50 new trains provided by Expolink consortium. One of the challenges will be to complete the project without disruption to the metro’s 20-hour-a-day operation on the existing line.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 64,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €14.9 billion in 2016. With over 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.
Key Points
· Thales to equip Dubai metro's Red Line extension, which will serve the future site of World Expo 2020.
· The contract includes the latest signalling, integrated supervision, security, passengers’ services, telecommunications and fare collection technologies for the 15 km extension.
· Thales has once again been selected by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and by Alstom to deploy a full range of solutions for the extension of the Dubai metro's Red Line and upgrade of its systems.
«We are glad to partner with this consortium of internationally reputed companies with tremendous experience and expertise. The work on this landmark project is in full swing according to its timeline. The construction works started right after laying the foundation stone last September. The test run of this newly extended metro line is anticipated to start in the final quarter of 2019, and the official service is scheduled for launch on 20 May i.e. five months before the opening of Expo 2020 »
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA
© Press Release 2017
