Alstom confirms $547m Saudi tram deal

Alstom confirms $547m Saudi tram deal

France’s Alstom has announced that its contract to provide a tram system for Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia is worth €500m ($547m).The deal, which was first announced by The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in October last year, involves the delivery of a battery-powered tramway that will be the world's longest catenary-free line.The 22.4 kilometre-long line will have 17 stations that provide access to Al-Ula's five core historical districts, which include the AlUla Old Town (District 1), Dadan (District 2), Jabal Ikmah (District 3), Nabataean Horizon (District 4), and Hegra Historical City (District 5).The system will served by 20 Citadis B battery trams.Alstom will also deliver power supply, signalling, communication, and depot equipment and provide full maintenance for the trams for 10 years.MEED reported in May that RCU was in advanced discussions with Alstom for the project after technical requirements meant other potential bidders withdrew interest in the scheme.In April 2021, the RCU unveiled an investment plan worth SR57bn ($15bn) to regenerate Al-Ula. About $3.2bn has been allocated for infrastructure development, including the tram and renewable power generation.Alstom has delivered two other tram systems in the GCC. It delivered the Dubai tram, which was opened in November 2014. It also built the tram