Introducing our Middle East rail team

Ali Siahvashi, Middle East General Manager, is the primary point of contact for customers seeking support across Ricardo’s assurance and technical advisory services in the Middle East.

An experienced signalling and rolling stock engineer, Ali brings over 21 years of comprehensive experience in the rail industry, including senior roles at Mapna Group (working closely with Siemens), Hitachi Rail and Bombardier. He has led complex systems integration projects for new rolling stock and signalling systems across Australia, including Cross River Rail ETCS, Sydney Trains, Melbourne’s VLocity fleet and Regional Rail Project. In addition to his engineering expertise, Ali has a strong background in operations and maintenance (O&M), project management, and team leadership, successfully overseeing multidisciplinary teams and delivering major rail programs in Australia and internationally.

Ali joined Ricardo in 2023 as General Manager for New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, where he oversaw technical assignments such as migration to ETCS signalling system, Shadow Operations of Sydney Metro, and Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP).

Earlier this year, Ali - who hails from Iran and holds a PhD in Signalling Systems (CBTC) from Macquarie University, Sydney - joined our Middle East rail team, working alongside colleagues based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh.

“The rail sector in the Middle East is constantly evolving,” says Ali, “making it such an exciting arena in which to work.”

"The UAE's Etihad Rail is expanding to include high-speed connections, significantly reducing travel times between major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Meanwhile, new international routes such as the planned link to Oman will help streamline cross-border transportation," he adds.

"In Saudi Arabia, the new metro network in Riyadh, which opened less than six months ago, is already exceeding forecast ridership levels and changing travel habits across the city - with plans already in place to extend the network and proceed with the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Monorail system. Meanwhile, the Saudi Landbridge will create a rail link between the Red Sea and the Gulf and transform freight logistics throughout the region."

"These investments reflect a bold regional vision: an integrated, environmentally responsible transport network. The proposed 2,000 km Gulf Railway is a key part of that ambition — connecting economies and people across the GCC."

A trusted source of advice

Nevertheless, challenges also abound throughout the region.

Financial pressures are increasingly prominent, especially as volatile oil markets influence governmental budgets and expenditure. Procuring bodies - under increased pressure to justify every Riyal, Rial, or Dirham - will evaluate potential suppliers from a broader global market to ensure greater value for money and expect to optimise cost-efficiency without compromising on quality and safety.

Sustainability further complicates the landscape. Governments are increasingly aligning new projects with national sustainability goals. Electrification, renewable energy integration and greener materials for rail infrastructure are not merely preferred, they are becoming mandatory. As such, rail systems must clearly demonstrate their lower environmental footprints in order to secure public and governmental support.

Away from new builds, the region's existing systems are having to confront the ongoing challenges of maintenance and modernization. With some lines now surpassing their first decade of operation, asset owners are seeking to implement proactive upkeep strategies to contend with the high temperatures, sand intrusion and harsh climates that impact system longevity and performance.

Value of combining local knowledge and global resources

The entry of new international players into the Middle Eastern rail market signals a strategic move toward maximizing value and maximising the reach of every investment.

"Procuring bodies recognize that a diverse, internationally experienced team can better navigate complexities, deliver quality outcomes and achieve cost-effective solutions tailored to regional requirements," says Ali.  

"A strength of our Ricardo teams in the region is the ability to mix local knowledge with international experience. All projects are delivered by teams based in-country consisting of individuals with many years’ experience of rail operations in the region. But we can also call upon a wealth of international expertise and best practices from colleagues across Asia, Australia and Europe," he says.

With a strong track record of delivering safety and quality services across almost all iconic projects in the region’s railways, Ali aims to expand access to our broader technical service portfolio including Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Transaction Advisory, System Integration, Sustainability, and more.

"For over 20 years, Ricardo’s experts have played key roles in the development of high profile and large scale, freight, metro, monorail, and tram systems across the Middle East. While new-build projects remain active, there is a growing demand for ongoing technical support in day-to-day operations.”

“Only the highest standards are accepted here — and that’s what makes the Middle East such an exciting place to work. We’re proud to contribute to the region’s rail success and look forward to what’s next."

Connect with Ali via LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alisiahvashi