Qatar Railways Company (QRail) has completed evaluating bids for the rolling stock contract for the Lusail light rail transit (LRT) project in Doha.

The rolling stock contract involves supplying 34 trains to serve the LRT. Companies submit bids for the deal in May 2011 (MEED 29:3:11).

“They have evaluated the bids, but a decision hasn’t been made,” says a source close to the project.

It is thought that the delay in awarding the rolling stock contract is because the surrounding infrastructure in Lusail, such as bridges and tunnels is not yet complete.

The development of the Lusail LRT will include building about 20 kilometres of double track and about 10km of single track. It will also involve building 25 passenger stations and a further eight stations underground. A consortium comprising the US’ Aecom and Parsons won the project management consultancy contract in April last year. Germany’s Hochtief will oversee the development of Lusail City as part of the joint venture it founded in April 2010 with Lusail Real Estate Development Company, a subsidiary of Qatari Diar. Lusail City will be the main centre of activity during the Fifa World Cup in 2022.