Adana municipality has started negotiations with a venture of Sweden's ABB Adrantz with the local Alarko for a contract to build the first stage of a metro for the southeastern city. This follows submission by the venture of the lowest rebid for the project of $339.9 million.

The rebids of best and final offers submitted on 12 September were as follows' ABB Adrantz and Alarko - $339.9 million J The Anglo/French GEC Alsthom and the local Yapi Merkezi - $345.4 million Canada's SNC Lavalin International and Bombardier with the local Gama - $423.6 million.

A fourth contender, Germany's Siemens with locals Slinko and Guris, was eliminated on its failure to submit a credit proposal in time Bidders were requested to submit 100 per cent financing offers. In the first round of bidding, ABB Adrantz and Alarko also submitted the lowest bid of $346.6 million.

The total length of the first stage will be 13.3 kilometres, and will include 13 stations Of the total length, 7.1 kilometres will be in the open, 3.3 kilometres in viaducts and 2.9 kilometres in tunnels, which will include a crossing of the Seyhan river. Its maximum capacity will be about 800-900 passengers an hour travelling in three-car trains Completion is scheduled in 36 months.