The Jeddah Metro Company has invited consultants to pre-qualify for work on the planned metro system in the Saudi Arabian city.

Consultants are preparing prequalification documents for three different packages covering architecture and design; pre-project management and project management roles.

The deadlines for the submission of prequalification bids are set toward the end of June.

The details of a fourth package, which covers engineering works is still under discussion.

The Jeddah Metro Company was set up in March as a joint venture of the Jeddah Municipality and the Jeddah Urban Development Company (JUDC). A senior official at the JUDC, Ibrahim Katabkhana, was appointed the company’s chief executive officer (CEO).

The metro will have three major lines. A 67-kilometre Orange Line will connect Mecca Road with Obhur, including 22 stations, and include a branch line that will run east along Sari Street.

The 24km Blue Line will contain 17 stations and will link King Abdulaziz International airport to the Old Airport Road. The Green Line will run alongside Palestine Road for 17km. It will also contain a branch line to the old airport at the end of the Haramain Railway, along with seven stations.

French firm Egis has been working with the authorities on the early designs for the project.