Bursa municipality has invited prequalification applications again for the construction of the first stage of a light rail mass transit system (LRMTS) at an estimated cost of $250 million. The closing date is 23 May (see Tenders).

A previous tender issue was cancelled after austerity measures were ordered by the treasury during the economic crisis of 1994 (MEED 15:7:94). The low bidder, after several rounds in May of that year, was a grouping of Italy's Ansaldo Transporti and Breda Costruzione, France's Systra and the local Guns with a price of $252.99 million.

Treasury approval will be sought again once tenders have been returned for the project in October or November, according to a municipality official. Bidders will be asked for 100 per cent credit funding offers, the official adds. The municipality hopes to award a contract by the end of 1996 for a construction start in 1997.

Completion will take about 900 days. This time around, the municipality has extended the length of the first stage to 21 kilometres from 12.5 kilometres. It will run between the city's organised industrial zone and Kestel district, passing through the Mudanya street junction, Fomura, Hasim Iscan street, Tayyareci Ali Bey Street and Gursu.

The contract will cover construction, manufacturing and erection works, including operation and maintenance facilities, as well as the supply and nianufacturing of cars and locomotives.

Once commissioned, about 36 trains will carry about 15,000 passengers per hour, according to the official.