Dubai Tram officially opens for passenger services

 
TIN news:    Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened Dubai Tram for passenger services, which will initially run across 10.6km and connect 11 stations in the city.
 
This tram is claimed to be the first outside Europe to be powered by ground electric cables, which extend throughout the tramway and eliminate the need for centenary cables.
 
It also features platform-screen doors technology to offer better safety and to maintain air-conditioning in the stations.
"The tram aims to improve the mobility within Dubai in general and areas of tourist and economic importance served by the tramway in particular."
 
RTA board chairman and executive director H E Mattar Al Tayer said: "The tram aims to improve the mobility within Dubai in general and areas of tourist and economic importance served by the tramway in particular.
 
"It also contributes to boosting the integrated public transport systems in the Emirate, providing a smooth, handy and highly efficient transit experience within communities characterised by business and tourist importance in the city of Dubai."
 
Railway infrastructure company Alstom was responsible of technological support for the project.
 
Alstom's 44m-long Citadis tram can run in temperatures of up to 50°C and expected to serve about 27,000 passengers a day.
 
With a capacity to accommodate 408 passengers, the tram is equipped with real-time passenger information and video broadcasting.
 
The second phase of the tramway will extend 14.6km along Safouh Street and the current fleet of 11 trams will be expanded up to 25 after the completion of second stage.
 
RTA expects that the tram will serve 66 thousand riders by 2020.
 
In September 2013, RTA signed AED105m ($28.5m) Dubai Tram operation contract with the British Serco Company for a period of 75 months