French rolling stock maker Alstom has won a $540 million contract to build the world’s longest battery-powered tram in Saudi Arabia.
The free catenary, 22.4 km tram, will have 20 Citadis B battery trams manufactured by Alstom, as well as 17 new stations.
The tram contract is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and was awarded in early January 2024 by the Al-Ula Royal Commission, a seven-year government agency with a mandate to preserve and develop the 2,000-year-old archeology and archeology. historical site of Al-Ula in the northwest of the country.
When completed, the tramway will open access to the five main historical districts of Al-Ula, including the sites of the Old Town of Al-Ula, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, the Nabatean skyline and the historic city of Hegra , declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
“This ambitious project aims to offer unique transit options for residents and tourists, with innovative and climate-friendly trams,” Alstom said in a statement.
The firm based in France, which has 70 years history of Infrastructure works in Saudi Arabia, said the project “is truly unique as it combines sustainability, passenger experience and immersion in the environment, in a region full of history and wonders.”
Mohammed Khalil, Alstom’s managing director in Saudi Arabia, said the project “incorporates many key elements, including Saudi Arabia’s focus on environmental management.”
Alstom’s contract includes the design of a comprehensive system for the tram project, as well as the integration, installation and testing and commissioning of the battery-powered tram.
In addition, Alstom will supply power supply, signalling, communication and depot equipment, as well as full maintenance of the trams for at least 10 years.
The company says it will use its predictive maintenance tool introduced in 2014, HealthHub, which allows it to “monitor the health of trains, infrastructure and signaling assets using advanced data analytics to predict their remaining useful life” .
The 20 trams, Alstom said, will be designed and manufactured at its France-based production sites, including La Rochelle.
The tram project adds to Alstom’s expanding role in Saudi Arabia’s rail transport market, including the recent construction, operation and maintenance of Lines 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Riyadh Metro, for the for which the company supplied 69 trains and an Urbalis signaling system.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan includes the development of trams and other rail systems to facilitate access to the country’s major tourist, cultural, agricultural and residential sites.
