UAE: International services group Serco announced on April 10 that it had signed a contract with Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority covering the operation and maintenance of the emirate's first two metro lines (RG 4.08 p255). Serco had been named as preferred bidder in June 2007.

The five-year operations contract runs from the opening of the 52 km Red Line, scheduled for September 9 2009. The 18 km Green line will follow on March 21 2010. The contract is renewable for a further five years, and Serco said the total value could be £500m, including the 2½ year planning phase.

Serco will employ 3?000 metro staff. It will run the operations control centre, provide attendants at the 47 stations and maintain the infrastructure, station facilities and 87 Kinki Sharyo driverless trains.