UK-based Serco Group, an international services company, said it has won a five-year extension from regional developer Nakheel to operate and maintain the Palm Jumeirah Monorail System in Dubai, UAE.

Nakheel’s Palm Monorail System extends 5.3km from Gateway Towers (landside) to Atlantis Aquaventure located on the crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island.

The Monorail provides an important transport link to the world-famous Palm Jumeirah Island and will also be linked to Nakheel’s new developments on the island, including Nakheel Mall and The Pointe, said a statement from the Dubai developer.

The contract win extends Serco's successful partnership with Nakheel over the last five years. The British firm began operating and maintaining the Palm Jumeirah Monorail on August 6, 2010.

David Greer, the chief executive of Serco Middle East, said: "We are delighted to now extend the partnership with Nakheel by operating and maintaining the Palm Jumeirah Monorail System, providing services to local residents and tourists in pursuit of our vision of safe, smooth and affordable public transport for all."

Nakheel selected Serco due to its outstanding performance since 2010, in addition to its experience in operating and maintaining a number of metro and rail systems in the Middle East and across Europe.-TradeArabia News Service