EXCLUSIVE: Mecca bus contract award expected

20 March 2018
At least four firms submitted an offer for the Mecca bus network project and construction management contract

The project and construction management (PMCM) contract award for the Mecca bus network project is imminent following the completion of the bids evaluation process, sources with knowledge of the project tell MEED.

MEED understands at least four firms submitted an offer for the contract.

The financial offers were opened in February.

The planned bus network in Mecca will consist of 12 lines along a length of 300 kilometres.

Seven lines are to be allocated for local buses, with a total of 83 stations, and the remaining five will be allocated to large and articulated buses.

In September 2017, a consortium comprising the local Nesma Holding  and Barcelona-based Transports Ciutat Comtal (TCC) won the SR3.4bn ($850m) contract to supply, maintain and operate buses for the Mecca Public Transport Programme (MPTP).

The contract covers the supply, import and 10-year maintenance of 400 buses, in addition to the construction of a 220,000 square-metre maintenance centre

Nesma Holding is understood to be in discussions to take over TCC's shares in the consortium. However, both Nesma and the client declined to confirm such talks.

A source at Mecca Mass Rail Transit (MMRT), the client for the contract on behalf of Dcomm, told MEED in January that the “project is proceeding as planned” and they are not aware of any such changes in the consortium.

MEED understands that a team comprising UK’s National Express and its local partner pulled out of the contract before it was awarded to the Nesma/TCC team.

In 2015, Nesma & Partners won a $1.75bn contract for infrastructure work on the King Abdul Aziz Road (KAAR) in Mecca.

The project is located in the western part of the city and extends 3,650 metres from the western entrance of the Grand Mosque leading to the Jabal Omar scheme.

The infrastructure work involves building roads and general infrastructure for the scheme. The works involve building 9.5 kilometres of roads, together with intersections and a main road with four lanes in each direction, and a central pedestrian boulevard linking to the Haram area.

The project was due to be completed last year.

 

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