France’s Egis International has submitted a low bid of BD1.47m ($3.9m) for the consultancy services contract to update Bahrain’s transport model and the preparation of a strategic transport masterplan.

The other consultancies that submitted offers are:

• Hyder Consulting (UK): $5.46m
• Dar al-Handasah (Lebanon): $7.25m
• Systra (France): $7.72m
• Mott MacDonald (UK): $14.5m (option 1); $12.5m (option 2)

The UAE’s KEO International, which earlier submitted a technical offer, is not included in the final list of bidders.

Bahrain’s capital Manama has one of the most congested road networks in the GCC despite having a population of just 1.3 million. The country has about 500,000 registered cars, which has been growing at an average of 11 per cent annually.

In response to these challenges, the government earlier announced three major rail schemes. Two of these, the King Fahd Causeway rail link and the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway, are aimed at improving transport links between the island and the kingdom’s immediate neighbours. The third, an ambitious light rail transit (LRT) and monorail network, is focused on improving transport links within the country.

Some progress is being made on the King Fahd Causeway link and the LRT scheme, while the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway is still under review.