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Thales, a world leader in electronic systems for transport, announces that it will be attending the Middle East Rail 2014 conference and expo.

Middle East Rail 2014 will promote the advancement of the GCC rail network and help regional rail operators provide efficient, safe and world class networks throughout the GCC. The event is particularly important given that over $250bn will be invested in passenger and freight rail projects in the Middle East over the next decade. Thales will be a partner in this development thanks to the trusting relationship it has already established in the region through both the implementation of major projects and its proven expertise in all forms of transport.

Specifically, Thales provides critical, IT-based systems for main line and urban transport, comprising signalling, supervision, communications, security, passenger information and comfort, and fare collection solutions. At Middle East Rail, Thales will be showcasing its capabilities in a number of areas such as :

Complex main line projects

With mounting evidence of the economic benefits of an interconnected Gulf region, Thales is a strategic partner for intraregional rail projects. Thales’s experience in main line rail projects in the Gulf region, especially with the deployment of its ETCS Level 2 signalling solution on the 2,400 km North-South Railway (NSR) line in Saudi Arabia, ensure full interoperability for future projects of the GCC Rail Network. Thales has deployed its main line ETCS Level 2 solution - the European standard - around the globe and extensively in Europe, where it connects the region’s countries with fully interoperable systems.

Dubai and Mecca metros

In urban signalling, Thales’s SelTrac® CBTC (Communications-based train control) system is the preferred solution of metro operators. SelTrac® is ubiquitous: in service on 55 lines in 30 major cities worldwide (equivalent to 1,600 km of track), it is used by 3 billion passengers every year. In the Middle East, SelTrac® has been deployed on the new Mecca and in Dubai metros. The latter is now the longest driverless metro in the world. SelTrac® CBTC is also being used to upgrade the signalling systems on some of the world's most prestigious metros, such as London, New York, Paris and Singapore.

Tram, an attractive option for cities

Thales also offers solutions for Light Rail Transit (LRT) networks, an effective compromise in terms of investment capacity, pollution reduction and aesthetic. Cutting-edge Thales LRT solutions are easy and fast to configure, install and extend and allow operators to optimise daily operations and maintenance activities as well as ensure quality of service. Furthermore, Thales’s independent systems is compatible with all rolling stock suppliers and interface with all third-party systems.

Easy ticketing

Thales’s ticketing systems are fully proven, being backed by more than 40 years in city to nation scale fare management expertise, and yet one of Thales's strengths in the area is its ability to remain at the forefront of the market’s technological innovation. Thales’s most recent equipment is compatible with the EMV standard. It supports not only the most popular contactless fare media but also bank cards. Thales fare collection systems enhance the attractiveness of public transport with seamless journeys and secure efficient revenue collection.

Conferences

Thales is also involved in the following conferences:

• February 4th at 15:00 - A keynote conference regarding the implementation of world class LRT networks.
• February 5th, at 11:50 - A roundtable on the topic of EMV cards in transit systems.
• February 5th at 16:40 - A theatre seminar concerning Thales railway solutions optimized for the GCC freight and passenger traffic requirements.