France's RATP Dev lands Al Ula smart mobility services contract
RIYADH, December 28, 2022
Saudi-based Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) said it has signed a ‘360 Mobility’ plan services contract with France’s RATP Dev, marking a new step towards a sustainable and smart public mobility network in the kingdom.
Founded in 2002, RATP Dev operates and maintains urban transportation systems in 15 countries across four continents including Italy, UK, Switzerland, Belgium, US, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Qatar and China.
The scope of work includes the experiential tram project, which will connect Hegra to AlUla central (Hijaz historical railway station) and which will be the backbone of public mobility as well as a full fleet of electric buses (about 200 vehicles) to serve both residents, locals, and visitors.
The other key highlight is the introduction of autonomous pods for first- and last-miles connection and heritage sites in addition to the implementation of soft mobility modes such as e-bikes and e-scooters Mobility as a Service (MaaS) application and tariffs.
This agreement will support the definition and implementation of a comprehensive mobility strategy in
AlUla, the home of Saudi Arabia's first Unesco world heritage site.
The ‘360 Mobility’ services contract was signed by RCU during the official visit of Olivier Becht, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, and French Nationals Abroad, to Saudi Arabia, in coordination with Afalula, and in the presence of the French Ambassador Ludovic Pouille and its CEO Engineer Amr AlMadani.
Under this contract, RATP Dev will support RCU in developing the plans, policies, governance and
infrastructure, as well as the transportation assets, of AlUla’s state-of-the-art mobility network for
residents and visitors.
This endeavour is the result of a strong partnership between RCU and RATP Dev following the signing of a MoU in December last year. It entails close and active cooperation in shaping a future of mobility in AlUla that reflects Saudi Vision 2030, said a top official.
"RCU is responsibly and sustainably regenerating the cultural and natural landscape of AlUla, enhancing
quality of life and creating a global, sustainable destination that is empathetic to the environment, history, culture and people of AlUla," remarked Moataz Kurdi, RCU’s Chief County Operations Officer.
"This new agreement with RATP Dev serves those goals by protecting our past, safeguarding our present and securing our future," he noted.
Abdeljabbar Ben Salem, Senior VP – Middle East and North Africa Business Unit, RATP Dev, said:
"With the 360 Mobility plan services win, we are honoured with the trust of RCU and fully mobilised to pursue this longterm partnership. Earlier this year, on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla, we launched the autonomous POD vehicles service in AlUla's Old Town serving visitors and residents."
"A service that has already contributed to the local community by providing job opportunities for the local, with young Saudis trained to become certified autonomous vehicle safety operators," he stated.
Drawing on the experience of its parent company RATP Group and alongside the Royal Commission for AlUla, RATP Dev will aim to make AlUla a destination of choice and flagship of reliable, safe, and
environmentally friendly transport, said Ben Salem.
Offering a memorable experience to visitors and residents, the network will link the present to the rich past of AlUla, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
