Keolis MHI, the operator of Dubai Metro and Tram, says it has secured three awards at the 2026 Global Light Rail Awards in London.
The company said the awards took place on 7 October 2026 at the Battersea Arts Centre. In its statement, Keolis MHI said it was recognized with the Most Improved System – Rail Sight award and received two Project of the Year (Under £50 Million) recognitions for the Dubai Metro Reinstatement Project and Dubai Metro Flood Defense Quick Wins. It also said it was highly commended for Worldwide Operator of the Year.
Keolis MHI attributed the recognition to work spanning system performance, project delivery and global operations. It said the awards were presented during a ceremony attended by representatives from organisations involved in operating, maintaining and developing light rail and urban transport systems worldwide.
In the release, Vikas Sardana, Managing Director at Keolis MHI, described the awards as reflecting “the dedication, expertise and collaborative spirit” of the company’s people and partners. He said the recognitions covered system performance, project delivery and global operations, and pointed to a focus on providing public transport services that are safe, reliable and resilient. He also said the company was “particularly proud” that its work on improving performance and strengthening resilience was recognized alongside the quality of its project delivery, linking the effort to Dubai’s aim for smart and sustainable public transport.
The company said it was shortlisted in six categories at the 2026 awards, including Technical Innovation of the Year, Most Improved System, Project of the Year, Worldwide Operator of the Year, Vision of the Year, and Environmental & Sustainability Initiative.
Keolis MHI also stated that its participation in the Global Light Rail Awards follows prior recognition: it said it won Vision of the Year in 2024 and the Judges’ Special Award in 2025. The company said its 2026 results add to that record, including three awards and the highly commended distinction for Worldwide Operator of the Year.
The Global Light Rail Awards, the release said, are organized annually by Mainspring and presented by the railway publication Tramways & Urban Transit. Keolis MHI described the awards as among the industry’s most prestigious recognitions for excellence and innovation in the operation, maintenance and development of railway systems.
Keolis MHI and its Dubai operations
Keolis MHI Rail Management and Operation LLC is described as a consortium formed by Keolis, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering and Mitsubishi Corporation. The release says the company operates and maintains the Dubai Metro and operates the Dubai Tram under a long-term contract with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It said operations officially commenced on 8 September 2021.
The statement says Keolis MHI has a workforce of more than 1,700 employees and operates with a focus on health and safety, service excellence, performance and innovation for passengers using the metro and tram networks.