During 1989, the first public tender for the establishment of such a system was announced. However, this project was ultimately cancelled in 1996. During 1994, the first application for public financing for the project was issued. Public financing from the central government was first issued during the following year, while other funds were made available during 2002 from the regional government. During 2000, the tendering process for the construction of the automated metro was initiated by the city authorities. During that same year, it was publicly announced that bids, including those from international vendors, were being accepted for the first phase of the project.
