A consortium of CAF Group and construction firm Shapir have been selected to deliver the Purple Line light rail project in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The consortium, selected by government-owned company NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System, will be responsible for designing, building and financing the Tel Aviv LRV Purple Line. CAF and Shapir will also maintain the LRV system for 25 years.

The 27km-long Tel Aviv LRV Purple Line is planned to connect 45 stations. It will also comprise a depot for the maintenance of the vehicles.

Planned to be fully operational by 2027, the line will connect the eastern regions of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area with the Tel Aviv city centre.

Under the contract, the CAF and Shapir consortium will also design and supply 98 new low-floor Urbos trams that will operate on the line. Each of the trams will have a length of almost 35m and will comprise five modules.

The contract also includes an option for a further 32 units in the future. Furthermore, the consortium will supply signalling, energy and communication systems.