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Bahrain Metro Project

Manama, Bahrain

2018 - Ongoing

InfrastructureMetroRailwayTransportation

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Project Description

Approach Words: Efficiency, Integrated City, Sustainability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning, Regulatory

The Bahrain Metro is a public transportation project¹ that is to be the first light rail transit system implemented in the Kingdom of Bahrain². As part of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030ⁱ ³, the project aims to provide efficient connectivity to key residential, commercial, administrative, and leisure areas across the country⁴. Additionally, the project seeks to alleviate traffic congestion through a public transit system and preserve the environment by offering an automated, self-driving electric train service⁵.

Title: Metro map showing the first 20 metro stations in Bahrain.

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Title: Map showing the lines of the first phase of the Bahrain metro project.

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Title: 3D rendering of the proposed Bahrain metro project.

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Title: Picture shows the implemented part of the first phase of Bahrain metro project.

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Title: Metro map showing the first 20 metro stations in Bahrain.

Source: Click Here

Title: Map showing the lines of the first phase of the Bahrain metro project.

Source: Click Here

Title: 3D rendering of the proposed Bahrain metro project.

Source: Click Here

Title: Picture shows the implemented part of the first phase of Bahrain metro project.

Source: Click Here

The metro is planned to run on 109 kilometers of rail track, with 30 kilometers of it elevated⁶. It consists of four lines⁷, red, green, yellow and blue⁸. The system will incorporate a Grade 4 automation (GoA4) system, which is fully automated and driverless⁹. The project consists of two phases as follows:

The first phase, which includes the red and blue rail lines, is under implementation¹⁰. This phase was approved in 2021¹¹ and is planned to span over 29 kilometers in length, comprising 20 stations operating via the two lines, with a projected daily passenger capacity of 43,000¹² ¹³. The components of this phase are as follows:

The first rail line, R1 (the red line), covers 13 kilometers and has 9 stations¹⁴. This line will begin at Bahrain International Airport and end at the suburban Seef District, passing through the Bahrain Financial Harbour¹⁵.
The second rail line, R2 (the blue line), covers 5.6 kilometers and has 11 stations¹⁶. It will link the Juffair suburb and Isa Town, through the Diplomatic or Educational Area within the central business district of Manama¹⁷.

The red and blue lines (R1 and R2) will intersect at the Bab al Bahrain and the al Farooq Junction stations¹⁸.

The second phase of the project, which includes the remaining green and yellow lines (R3 and R4), is currently under study¹⁹ by the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication (MTT). These lines will link the King Hamad International Passenger Station in the Ramli area with Sports City and the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in the Sakhir area. This phase will span 18 km in length and include five stops²⁰.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Ministry Of Transportation and Telecommunication ³⁰

Consultant/Designer

IDOM ³¹

Funder

Government Of Bahrain ³²

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)³³

Contractor/Implementer

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)³⁴

Owner/Developer (Public)

Ministry Of Transportation and Telecommunication ³⁰

Contractor/Implementer

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)³⁴

Funder

Government Of Bahrain ³²

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)³³

Consultant/Designer

IDOM ³¹

This public transportation system is expected to reduce reliance on automobiles, thereby alleviating traffic congestion²¹ and enhancing ease and efficiency of commute across the country²². Additionally, it is anticipated to bring about broader socio-economic advantages, including environmental sustainability through the reduction of emissions, promotion of a clean and safe environment with the utilization of electric trains²³ ²⁴.

The project is initiated by the Bahraini Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication (MTT)²⁵ . The ministry has specified IDOM, a private consultancy firm providing engineering and architecture services, to work with them on designing phase one including the preparation of the feasibility study²⁶. The project will be implemented by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)²⁷ as the principal contractor responsible for project implementation where the overall estimated project cost is between $2 billion²⁸.

It should be noted that the Project is tendered as an integrated Public Private Partnership (PPP), as the chosen private partner will execute the project based on the DBFOMT model (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, Transfer), with a contract duration of approximately 35 years²⁹.