Saudi Arabia Shortlists 38 Groups for Ryadh Train Project

Saudi Arabia, which is trying to curb domestic fuel consumption, said it shortlisted 38 groups as qualified initial bidders for an electric train project that will link major parts of its capital city Riyadh.

The city planners will soon invite the companies to submit their bids for the 175-kilometer electrical rail link that will connect its airport with other parts of the city, including the new King Abdullah Financial Center, ArRiyadh Development Authority said yesterday on its website.

The Saudi Center for Energy Efficiency said on July 16 that Saudi Arabia must enhance its public transportation network in order to reduce the number of cars in the country and save more of its fuel that it sells at subsidized prices.

The city planners also said they have received requests for qualification from 146 companies for its public transportation network project and they will soon select the initial qualified bidders. The winner of this project will be responsible for operating the buses and constructing bus stations and parking spaces, according to the statement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Wael Mahdi in Manama at wmahdi@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stephen Voss at sev@bloomberg.net