Bahrain light rail network

{{Short description|Proposed public transport project in Bahrain}} {{About|the proposed Bahrain Metro public transport project in Bahrain|other uses|Metrorail (disambiguation){{!}}Metrorail}} [[File:Un-bahrain.png|thumb|right|300px|Transport layout of Bahrain]] The '''Bahrain Light Rail Network''' ({{langx|ar|شبكىة السكة الحديدية البحرين}}), also known as '''Bahrain Metro''' ({{langx|ar|مترو البحرين}}), is a proposed public transport project, which will serve Manama and its greater metropolitan region, in the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

{{Infobox public transit | box_width = | name = Bahrain Metro مترو البحرين | image = | imagesize = | caption = | native_name = | locale = Bahrain | transit_type = Rapid transit | lines = 2 (proposed) 2 (planned) | line_number = {{RouteBox|Red Line 1||Red|WHITE|bold=yes}} {{RouteBox|Blue Line 2||Blue|WHITE|bold=yes}} |stations = 20

Red Line–Bahrain International Airport - Seef Mall Length: {{cvt|13|km}}

Blue Line–Juffair - Isa Town Length: {{cvt|15.6|km}} | key_people = | ridership = 200,000<ref>{{cite web|title=Designing Bahrain's first Light Rail Transit System.|url=https://www.egis-group.com/projects/designing-bahrain-s-first-light-rail-transit-system|website=Egis Group|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> | headquarters = | owner = | system_length = {{cvt|28.6|km}} (Phase-I) {{cvt|109|km}} (full completion) | vehicles = | train_length = | headway = | track_gauge = | el = | top_speed = | image2 = | caption2 = | character = Elevated | alt = | website = | operator = Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications }}

First proposed in 2008 and under development by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the plan calls for a network with a total length of {{Convert|109|km|abbr=on}}. At full capacity, the light rail network is expected to carry 43,000 passengers an hour,<ref name="Zawya">{{cite news |title=Bahrain's metro project on track |url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Bahrains_metro_project_on_track-SNG_151436430 |accessdate=16 August 2019 |work=Zawya |agency=Gulf Daily News |date=12 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=Urban/> and 200,000 passengers per day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Designing Bahrain's first Light Rail Transit System.|url=https://www.egis-group.com/projects/designing-bahrain-s-first-light-rail-transit-system|website=Egis Group|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref>

==Lines== A total of 4 lines are proposed, with 2 lines being constructed in Phase-1. Two interchanges are planned at the Bab al Bahrain and Al-Farooq Junction.<ref name=Urban>{{cite web |title=Bahrain Metro: Project Information, Tenders, Routes and News Updates |url=https://urbantransportnews.com/bahrain-metro-project-information-tenders-routes-and-news-updates/ |website=Urban Transport News |accessdate=17 August 2019 |date=17 August 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128012814/https://urbantransportnews.com/bahrain-metro-project-information-tenders-routes-and-news-updates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==={{RouteBox|Red Line 1||Red|WHITE|bold=yes}}===

The Red Line will be the first operational line of Bahrain Metro, and will start from Bahrain International Airport and end at Seef Mall, via the Airport Avenue and the King Faisal Highway. The line will have 9 stations and will be {{Convert|13|km|abbr=on}} long. It will also connect The Avenues, Bab al Bahrain, and Bahrain City Centre.<ref name=Urban/>

==={{RouteBox|Blue Line 2||Blue|WHITE|bold=yes}}===

The Blue Line will be the second line of the network, and will run from Juffair to Isa Town, running at a length of {{Convert|15.6|km|abbr=on}} with 11 stations. The line will connect the Diplomatic Area, Bab al Bahrain, Salmaniya, Zinj, Tubli, Salmabad, and end at the Educational Area in Isa Town.<ref name=Urban/>

==History== The project was first unveiled in 2008, with construction planned to start in 2009. However, the project was repeatedly delayed. The project moved ahead in 2018 after the Bilbao-based consultancy firm, IDOM, completed & submitted a feasibility study to the Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications. The Ministry later announced three tenders in 2019. The project will be developed on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.<ref name="Anoop">{{cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Anoop |title=Bahrain completes feasibility studies for light rail transit project |url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/economy/story/Bahrain_completes_feasibility_studies_for_light_rail_transit_project-ZAWYA20171101035226/ |accessdate=16 August 2019 |work=Zawya |date=1 November 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

The first phase, including about 30 km, with 20 stations, and 2 interchanges, of light rail network, is expected to cost BD453 million. Subsequent phases will cost more.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bahrain Metro|url=https://www.idom.com/en/project/bahrain-metro/|website=IDOM}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/stn_178416.html|accessdate=2011-02-20|title=Bahrain's $8bn public transport network on track|quote=Light}}</ref>

On 20 February 2023, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was selected for the pre-qualification tender process for an international consultancy project to construct the Phase-1 project of the metro project. As it bidded, budgeted, participated and facilitated the project's development, after selection, DMRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for manufacturing and supplying the rolling stock for the first corridor.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Pullokaran, Jos Jomy|title=Bahrain Metro Project: Delhi Metro shortlisted for pre-qualification tender process|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/bahrain-metro-project-delhi-metro-shortlisted-for-pre-qualification-tender-15988391.htm/amp|work=CNBC TV18|date=20 February 2023|access-date=21 February 2023|language=en}}</ref>

In April 2026, the minister of transportation and telecommunications announced that the metro would be integrated with bus and cycling services as part of a wider mass transit program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-03 |title=Metro to Link with Bus Routes {{!}} THE DAILY TRIBUNE {{!}} KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN |url=https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/129763.html |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=DT News |language=en-US}}</ref> Construction has not yet started as of April 2026.

==See also== * Transport in Bahrain

==References== {{reflist|2}}

Category: Rail transport in Bahrain