Shanghai Shentong Metro Group has selected joint venture Shenkai as future operator of Phase III of Line 8-3.
Shenkai is a partnership between Shanghai Shentong Consulting and Keolis. The contract includes five years of work, including pre-operational management, and maintainance when the line opens in December next year.
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The 6.7km extension will be the city’s first automatic metro system.
Keolis’ international CEO Bernard Tabary said: "Keolis is very proud to bring its expertise in automatic metros to a network as emblematic as Shanghai.
"This is an important milestone in our partnership with Shanghai Shentong Consulting, and we will continue to look at opportunities together in Asia and around the world."
The initial fleet of 11 four-carriage locomotives will travel at up to 75km/h and carry an estimated 600 passengers per train.
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By GlobalDataIt is estimated that the line will transport 73,000 people per day, including 7,200 people during peak hours at a four-minute service frequency.
Construction of the project started in January last year and once complete it will have six elevated stations and one depot.
Keolis’ executive chairman Jean-Pierre Farandou said: "This new contract demonstrates the trust we have established with Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, and confirms our ambition to be the mobility partner of choice for metropolises around the world."
Currently, Keolis operates more than 156km of automatic metro lines in France and London.
The company will also operate and maintain an automatic metro of Hyderabad when it is launched in the coming months.
Image: An AC07 series train at Laoximen Station on Shanghai’s Metro Line 8-3. Photo: courtesy of Baycrest
