(Yicai Global) Sept. 4 -- A consortium of Shenzhen Metro Group Co., China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. (CCEC) and Israel's Egged Israel Transport Cooperative Society Ltd. has won the bid to operate and maintain the Red Line Light Rail system in Tel Aviv, Israel under a 14-year service contract, China News Service quoted Shenzhen Metro as saying yesterday.

This is Shenzhen Metro's third overseas project after it secured a contract to operate and manage a light-rail system in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and to advise on the operation of a rail transit system in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The 23-kilometer light rail is part of Tel Aviv's public transportation system. It will have 10 under-ground and 23 above-ground stops. The line, which is set to begin operation in 2021, will run through the city's most bustling central business district and become one of its busiest traffic routes.

Shenzhen Metro, CCEC and Egged will set up a dedicated company to operate and maintain the line. Shenzhen Metro will be mainly responsible for operational and, technical management and system construction as well as maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment, and will help manage and supervise maintenance contractors hired by the owner, said Lin Maode, Shenzhen Metro's chairman.