THE Roads & Transport Authority of Dubai has placed a Euros 120m 13-year contract with a consortium led by Alstom to maintain the rolling stock and fixed installations of the new Al Sufouh light rail line currently under construction. There is an option for a five-year extension worth a further Euros 50m.

Alstom's share of the contract is valued at Euros 68m, while its partner, Coley Besix FM, has the remaining Euros 52m and will maintain the stations and depot.
Phase 1 of the project, due to open by the end of 2014, consists of a 10km line with 13 stations. The line will be the first to be electrified entirely with Alstom's APS ground-level power supply system pioneered in Bordeaux.
Alstom will supply a fleet of 11 Citadis LRVs for phase 1 with an additional 14 units to follow for phase 2 which will add another 4km and six stations to the line.