France-based Thales has procured a 103-million euro contract to supply train control and communication systems for a new metro railway project in Mecca. The 20-km long light rail system will be built by China Railway Construction Corp that has awarded the contract to Thales. Thales is set to supply the project with a driverless train control system as well as the required communication and administration technology.  In order to alleviate traffic congestion concerns in the Holy City, the Mecca Metro is intended to be ready for service by the onset of the Hajj season in November 2010. On completion, the project will become the second metro system in the Gulf Arab nations after the Dubai metro, which is slated to start operations in September this year. It will carry 72,000 passengers every hour in each direction, with only an attendant on board. |
