The joint venture was the low bidder for the scheme when prices were submitted in late January, but the price did not include the operations and maintenance of the network that was included in the original tender.

The first phase of the scheme involves a tram line running between Al-Sufouh road and Dubai Marina, past Dubai Media City to Mall of the Emirates and the proposed Jumeirah Hills development on the existing police academy site. It will be 10 kilometres long with 13 stations.

The trams will carry up to 5,200 passengers an hour in each direction, and will be integrated with the metro stations and bus network. Phase two will involve the construction of an additional 6 kilometres leading to a terminal at Mall of the Emirates.

The other bidders were Germany's Siemens with Australia's Gulf Leighton and the local Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises, and Italy's Ansaldo Trasporti with Japan's Marubeni Corporation and Pizzarotti, also Italian.

France’s Systra is the consultant. Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority is the client (MEED 2:3:08).