Alstom, a French multinational company operating in the worldwide rail transport markets, has handed over the first of the 69 metro trainsets to Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) for operation on lines 4, 5 and 6 of Riyadh Metro.

The French multinational said the production of the trainsets was well on track and all the trainsets would be delivered by the end of 2018. 

The ADA launched in 2013 a project to build a metro that would be 176 km long and include six lines and 85 stations. 

Alstom, as part of the Fast consortium, is in charge of supplying a full integrated metro system for lines 4, 5 and 6 (or Yellow, Green, and Purple lines).

The metro system includes 69 Metropolis trainsets, as well as Alstom’s Urbalis CBTC signalling solution, and the Hesop energy recovery system.

Composed of two cars each, the Riyadh metro trainset is 36 m long and is able to accommodate up to 231 passengers. 

Each train features three classes: first, family and single class separated by a glass partition. The trains will offer passengers a high level of comfort, ergonomic seating, LED lighting and advanced passenger information systems.

The interior and exterior design has been developed as per ADA’s requirements. The exterior car body features painted stripes that indicate the colour of the line the metro trainset will run on.

Gian Luca Erbacci, the senior vice-president (Middle East and Africa) at Alstom, said: “We are pleased to hand over on time the first Metropolis trainset to ADA. This landmark project will allow Riyadh residents and visitors to commute aboard a reliable, comfortable and eco-friendly means of transport. Furthermore, Alstom is committed to be a close and long-time partner of the kingdom to efficiently address its mobility needs and support in carrying out its upcoming transport projects.”

Erbacci said the metro trains are 100 per cent motorised, allowing them to run on gradients of up to a six per cent slope.

“The trains are designed to run on standard-gauge track at a top speed of 90 kmph. The trains have been designed with the region’s climate in mind. One such feature is a more powerful air-conditioning system, capable of delivering sufficient cooling capacity even in extreme heat. In addition, the bogies, traction drive, brakes and doors have been fitted with special elements in order to prevent the ingress of sand,” he added.

The trainsets are produced in Alstom’s factory in Katowice, Poland.