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The Public Transport Department of Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, located in the south-east of the country, has published a tender announcement for a light rail project.

The authority is seeking a private partner to design, develop, construct, commission, finance, operate and maintain the infrastructure, rolling stock and services for a new light rail transit (LRT) system in the city. 

The Almaty LRT will consist of 37 stations along a 22.7km double track operating over one of the city’s principal avenues. It is expected to carry between 76,000 and 112,000 passengers a day, with trains arriving every four minutes during peak hours on weekdays. The average commercial speed is to be 22km/h.

The total estimated construction cost is KZT91.245 billion (US$250.7 million). A significant capital grant covering up to 50% of the private partner’s capital expenditure is planned. Furthermore, a number of leading financial institutions have been consulted and shown preliminary interest in the project, such as the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)​.

The private partner will be responsible for the daily operation of the LRT and will be the point of contact for the Public Transport Department, other authorities, police, etc. in relation to the light rail operation.

The project will be purely based on availability. Traffic revenue will be collected by the Public Transport Department.  Other revenue (such as advertising revenue, retail revenue etc.) will be transferred to the private partner.

The private partner will also be responsible for the detailed design and construction of a depot, which is to include workshops, operation control facilities and offices. The LRT is to be managed from the depot.

Interested parties are invited to submit requests to participate in the tender before 29 November 2018. For more information, see the business opportunity.