Doha Metro phase one ‘to be ready in late 2019’
Completion of first section of rail project and Lusail Tram will mean 600,000 trips per day by 2021, says Qatar Rail
The first phase of the Doha Metro is expected to be ready by the fourth quarter of 2019, with construction work currently in full swing, Qatar Rail has said.
With the completion of the first phase of the metro and the Lusail Tram, Qatar Rail will be able to offer 600,000 passenger trips per day by 2021, the government agency said in a statement.
“Fans attending 2022 FIFA World Cup matches will have the option to travel to stadiums in the ultra-modern Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, which are set to provide an efficient and comfortable journey as Qatar continues to make progress towards completion of the first phase in late 2019,” the statement added.
“Fans’ mobility will be significantly aided by the seamless transportation experience which Qatar Rail will offer, with 600,000 passenger trips expected per day by 2021.”
By then, it is expected that 37 metro stations will be completed, with an average time of three minutes between stops.
Qatar Rail said that it has now completed nearly 60% of the 113km of tunnelling, with 21 tunnel boring machines used. In total, more than 27,000 people have worked on the construction the metro, it said.
The metro network will be built over two phases and will include four lines. Phase one covers 80km across Doha, with 63km underground. The Lusail tram network adds a further 38km and an additional 37 stations. Completion of the Lusail network is pencilled in for 2020.
Qatar Rail last month floated tenders for 12 Doha Metro stations as it looked for the right consultants and contractors to carry out the project. The company accepted tender forms from October 11-25, Qatari daily Al Sharq reported.
Another 60 stations are set to be opened in the second phase of the project.
