A consortium comprising France’s Alstom, the local Al-Saad Contracting and the UAE’s Drake & Scull is understood to have submitted a low bid for the systems package for phase 1, or lines B and C, of the Mecca Metro.

The package comprises track works, systems and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP).

Other consortiums that submitted offers for the package include a team comprising Canada’s Bombardier, Turkey’s Yapi Merkezi and Egypt’s Orascom, and another team comprising the local Saudi Binladin Group with France’s Thales.

In July, a consortium of Spain’s Isolux Corsan, the local Haif Contracting and Turkey’s Kolin announced it had been selected as the preferred bidder for the civils work on phase 1 of the Riyadh Metro scheme, although they are still awaiting the official award of the contract.The team put forward a proposal for lines B and C, valued at SR9.95bn ($2.6bn).

Line B will feature seven stations over 11.9 kilometres, while Line C will feature 15 stations and involve tunnelling work over a rail line extending 33.2 kilometres.

The Mecca Metro is also understood to be currently reviewing offers for the supply of rolling stock for phase 1. The bidders are understood to include France’s Alstom, Canada’s Bombardier, Germany’s Siemens and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem.