Metrail AG of Switzerland has won a contract to provide a monorail system for the mass transit needs of Dubai's City of Arabia project.

City of Arabia, being developed by Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, is a spectacular $5 billion retail, residential, commercial and entertainment destination lying at the gateway to Dubailand.

A self-contained 20 million sq ft community designed to minimise the use of cars, the development will be served by its own monorail system which will transport residents and visitors to and from a designated Dubai Metro station and around the site.

Ilyas Galadari, chairman of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, said: “Taking care of people from the moment they arrive at City of Arabia is paramount. Visitors to the community will be able to go to the many attractions using a safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation system.

“From the outset, we looked for a monorail system that would complement our aggressive build programme,” said Mustafa Galadari, vice chairman and managing director of Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group.

“The Metrail system requires no electrical infrastructure, while its light weight allows imaginative station and guide-way designs. We also specified low operation costs and Metrail’s advanced technology guarantees that.”

Syed Khalil, group executive director for City of Arabia, said: 'The cost was always an issue; the Metrail system works out to less than $20 million per kilometre, a figure which is competitive to the world’s top five mass transit suppliers. Above all else, the Galadari’s commitment to the environment led to the selection of the Metrail monorail.'

The Metrail monorail complements the innovative concepts and futuristic theme of City of Arabia. The rolling stock and systems are being developed in conjunction with Metrail’s technical partner, Frazer-Nash Research from the UK, while Giugario Design will provide styling and engineering services for the rolling stock based on the innovative and revolutionary bogey design of Metrail / Frazer-Nash.

Civil and infrastructure design and consultancy will be provided by Sundaram Architects of India, with safety and verification services from Scandpower of Scandinavia.

The network will consist of a six kilometre dual guide-way with 11 stations and six 2-car trains. The first section of the alignment will be operational in 12 to 18 months.

Metrail said it was confident that the success of the City of Arabia project would unlock the considerable potential for other Metrail monorail mass transit projects, not only in the UAE, but worldwide.

With business and administrative offices, schools and clinics, supported by luxury apartments, shops, galleries, restaurants and unique attractions, City of Arabia will become a key destination and urban community within the new Dubai. The project will have a phased opening starting towards the end of 2010.

With a total of 8,200 residential components, City of Arabia will, on completion, have 32,800 residents and a catchment area containing 1.87 million people.-TradeArabia News service