ID :
26027
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 16:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/26027
The shortlink copeid
Monorail on-site testing begins
Dubai, Oct 22, 2008 (WAM) - Developer Nakheel yesterday began on-site testing of its newly-delivered monorail trains on Palm Jumeirah – the first monorail system in the Middle East. High-tech trains arrived at the weekend from railway system manufacturer Hitachi, best known for creating Japan's high-speed bullet train.
Two trains were raised on to the 5.45km track on Palm Jumeirah and are now making initial test journeys, monitored by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and operators SMRTE.
"It's great to see the Palm monorail trains well and truly on track," said Robert Lee, Nakheel's Managing Director, Investment Projects. "Having the first monorail in the region here on the Palm Jumeirah is indicative of Nakheel's vision, leadership and ambition as a developer. "It will ensure we continue to play a critical role in Dubai's growth as a global centre for tourism and marks our commitment to creating sustainable transport systems, hand-in-hand with our partners at the RTA."
Tests on the trains will continue for the next six months before the monorail is opened to the public in April next year. The system will carry thousands of passengers each day between Gateway Station at the trunk of Palm and the Atlantis's Aquaventure Station on the crescent. It will eventually call at Trump International Hotel and Tower and the luxury retail centre Palm Mall en route.
The system will eventually be linked to the Dubai Metro following the introduction of RTA's Al Sufouh tramline, with direct links to Dubai International Airport and other major transport hubs.
The Palm monorail is being developed by a consortium of international companies led by the Marubeni Corporation. The system is fully automatic and driverless, though an attendant will be on board at all times.
The monorail will initially carry up to 2,400 passengers per hour per direction in four separate trains, each made up of three cars. At full capacity, the figure will rise to a maximum of 6,000 people in nine vehicles.
Two trains were raised on to the 5.45km track on Palm Jumeirah and are now making initial test journeys, monitored by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and operators SMRTE.
"It's great to see the Palm monorail trains well and truly on track," said Robert Lee, Nakheel's Managing Director, Investment Projects. "Having the first monorail in the region here on the Palm Jumeirah is indicative of Nakheel's vision, leadership and ambition as a developer. "It will ensure we continue to play a critical role in Dubai's growth as a global centre for tourism and marks our commitment to creating sustainable transport systems, hand-in-hand with our partners at the RTA."
Tests on the trains will continue for the next six months before the monorail is opened to the public in April next year. The system will carry thousands of passengers each day between Gateway Station at the trunk of Palm and the Atlantis's Aquaventure Station on the crescent. It will eventually call at Trump International Hotel and Tower and the luxury retail centre Palm Mall en route.
The system will eventually be linked to the Dubai Metro following the introduction of RTA's Al Sufouh tramline, with direct links to Dubai International Airport and other major transport hubs.
The Palm monorail is being developed by a consortium of international companies led by the Marubeni Corporation. The system is fully automatic and driverless, though an attendant will be on board at all times.
The monorail will initially carry up to 2,400 passengers per hour per direction in four separate trains, each made up of three cars. At full capacity, the figure will rise to a maximum of 6,000 people in nine vehicles.
