Bahrain to appoint rail transaction adviser by end of 2018

21 May 2018
Detailed study for the light rail PPP project is expected to be completed this month

Bahrain’s Transport and Telecommunications Ministry expects to award the transaction advisory contract for the first phase of the Bahrain light rail network project before the end of 2018 or in early 2019.

MEED understands the ministry has appointed a consultant to draft the tender documents, which could be released imminently.

Spanish firm Idom Consulting Engineering Architecture has been conducting  the scheme's detailed study, which is expected to be completed this month.

The $2.43m contract with Idom covers: a study of the existing transport system in Bahrain; preparing plans for a proposed network and phases; selecting the best technology for the different phases; the preliminary design of the first phase of the network; the cost of implementing phase 1; and the best method to procure phase 1 of the network.

The study was initially expected to be completed in September last year. However, the contract has been extended due to the ministry’s request for more detailed work in terms of the specifications, alignment and number of stations, as well as the financial business case and the preparation of the prequalification documents.

The light rail scheme is part of Bahrain’s Public Transport Masterplan 2030, which has recommended the development of 184 kilometres of transit network comprising six lines. The entire project is to be implemented in a phased manner until 2030.

MEED understands phase 1 of the light rail transit project will extend 30km and have 20 stations.

A MEED Subscription...

Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.