Dubai’s RTA receives first 50 Metropolis trainsets


The train, produced at Alstom’s site in Katowice in Poland, arrived in Dubai after being shipped from Bremerhaven Port in Germany. Alstom will conduct initial static and dynamic tests in the depot over the next few months.

In 2016, the Alstom-led ExpoLink consortium, also composed of ACCIONA and Gulermak, has signed a contract with RTA to design and build the extension of Dubai’s Red metro line and upgrade the existing line. The project, also known as Route 2020, is worth a total of US$2.92bn and is expected to start commercial service in 2020, in time for the expo.

“We are extremely proud to hand over, on time, the first Metropolis trainset to RTA. This is a significant milestone in a prestigious project that will provide Dubai residents and visitors to with a reliable, comfortable and environmentally-friendly metro system ahead of the expo,” declared Didier Pfleger, senior vice-president of Alstom for the Middle East and Africa.

Alstom’s scope covers the provision of the entire metro system, including 50 Metropolis trainsets, power supply, driverless signalling, communication and security, automatic fare control, track works, platform screen doors and a three-year warranty on the whole system. Additionally, Alstom will enhance the existing metro line by upgrading the power supply, signalling systems, communication and track works.

The Metropolis trainsets for Dubai are 85.5 metres long and composed of five cars each. They will be able to carry up to 700 passengers two each. The train aims to provide higher passenger experience, with wide gangways, large doors and windows, three specific areas for silver, family and gold classes. Eco-friendly, the train is equipped with a full electrical braking system, LED lighting and other innovations to reduce energy consumption.

