Serco Group plc (Serco) 2008-04-10 announces that it has signed a contract with the Dubai Government Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to operate and maintain the first two lines of the new Dubai Metro. The contract is now valued at around £500m over 12.5 years.

Serco has been providing pre-launch consultancy and planning to the RTA since the summer of 2007. The operations and maintenance period will run for five years from autumn 2009, with the potential for a further five-year extension. Serco will run the operations control centre, maintain rolling stock, track and station facilities and employ more than 3,000 staff to deliver the service.

The Dubai Metro is the first in the region, will be one of the most advanced urban rail systems in the world and be a catalyst for tourism, financial and economic growth. The lines will cover 76 kilometres and are predicted to carry 200m passengers per year. Serco will be able to compete for additional work as the Dubai Metro grows, as the RTA intends to build additional lines and extend the network to more than 300 kilometres, making it the world’s largest driverless metro system.

Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco, said: “We have provided essential services in the UAE region for more than 40 years and are delighted to have been selected by the RTA. The Metro is a landmark in Dubai’s public transport infrastructure and we are focused on delivering the services the RTA has entrusted to us. Serco has developed an excellent reputation for delivering quality operations and this win positions us well for further transport opportunities in the region.”