[Photos] Dubai's Groundbreaking Catenary-Free Tram System

[Photos] Dubai's Groundbreaking Catenary-Free Tram System

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The 6.5-mile Dubai tramway, which entered into service on November 11th, 2014 (two months ahead of schedule), links connects the Dubai metro and the Palm Jumeriah monorail, along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road from the Mall of the Emirates to the Dubai Marina. The tram features many of Alstom’s technological innovations. It is the first tram in the world able to run in temperatures of up to 50 °C (122 °F) and to withstand harsh climate conditions.

Equipped with APS ground-level power supply, the system is also the first in the world to be catenary-free all along the line, enabling perfect integration of the tramway into the cityscape. The tram of Dubai has a distinctive diamond-shaped styling on the front end to better reflect the city’s image. The Dubai tramway offers high-end comfort to passengers. The line is equipped with air-conditioned stations and automatic platform screen doors, also a world fist. The Citadis tram of Dubai features three classes: “gold”, “silver” and “women & children” and is equipped with real-time passenger information and video broadcasting.