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29 March 2024

Serco to run Metro’s Red and Green lines

Published
By Staff Writer

(SATISH KUMAR)   

 

A 10-year contract to run and maintain Dubai Metro’s Red and Green lines has been awarded to UK company Serco by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).“The selection of Serco comes after a public tender,” said RTA Chairman Mattar Al Tayer.

“Several global companies specialising in rail operations and maintenance had applied.“Following an analysis of the bids the offer from Serco was chosen. The company has experience of operating and maintaining a number of metro and rail lines in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Australia.”
 
The contract covers all assets of the Dubai Metro system, including trains, railways, stations and associated facilities during the period of contract.

Serco will provide transport services at a level that matches demand, operate revenue systems and collect revenues by selling and topping up Metro cards on behalf of the RTA.

The company will provide job opportunities to UAE nationals and achieve a certain percentage of Emiratisation within five years of commencing operations.

Al Tayer said Serco would work with the project’s contractor, the Durl Consortium, during the testing period before network operations begin and during an initial three-year period. “Serco will provide a high level of safety and integration between the Metro and other modes of transport,” he said.

“The company will assist the RTA in taking over all assets of the Metro project from the contractor and reinstating all assets to the RTA upon expiry of the contract in good condition.
 
“And the company will also assist in the transfer of manpower to the RTA or any other entity selected by the RTA after the expiry of the contract.”