United Equipment Rentals (UER) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), supported by Haulotte Middle East in Dubai, is helping contractors complete the finishing touches of the first phase of the elevated Dubai Metro to be opened later this year. The first part of the system includes 28 stations over a distance of more than 32 miles and access is needed at varying heights for such tasks as painting the ramps.

UER says more than 80 Haulotte machines — including telescopic and articulated lifts — are in use for work on the various stations as contractors are under pressure to complete the first phase of the project in September. The Dubai Metro project, which was started in 2006, is designed to help reduce traffic congestion. The driverless trains will travel at speeds up to 30 mph.

The main contractors for the Dubai Metro are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corp., Obayashi Corp., Kajima Corp. and Yapi Merkezi Joint Venture.