Autonomous metro train that serves Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University. Photo: Hitachi RailHitachi Rail has signed a €72.5 million contract with Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University to operate and maintain its autonomous metro system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the next three years.
The Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University is the world’s largest university for women, able to host 60,000 students that can travel within the huge campus area with the autonomous train. The electric-powered trains provide a sustainable low-carbon alternative to travelling by car.
The rail network consists of four elevated lines spanning 11.5km that connects 14 stations. The 22 two-carriage automated metro trains have a capacity of 110 passengers and can travel at a maximum speed of 60km/h.
The contract will see Hitachi operate the whole autonomous metro system, while maintaining the trains and infrastructure, including stations, mechanical and electrical systems and the depot and viaduct. Hitachi Rail completed the building of the autonomous railway in May 2011.
Hitachi Rail is the largest autonomous train manufacturer in the world with a 30% market share. The company’s first autonomous metro started running in Copenhagen in 2002, and was followed by Line 5 in Milan, Brescia, Line C in Rome and successful systems in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Tapei, Taiwan. Other projects are in progress in Hawaii, Greece and Australia.
Edoardo La Ficara, Hitachi Rail executive officer (Operation Service & Maintenance Division), said: “We are proud to be confirmed as operator and maintainer of the Princess Noura University automated metro. This award is an important further milestone that consolidates our presence in the Middle East, one of the Operation, Service and Maintenance Division target markets.
“We are happy to be able to contribute with our customers to the development of mobility in the countries in which we operate, in terms of growth and sustainable systems.”
Hitachi Rail has operated and maintained the Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University since March 2018.