Qatar Rail and Alstom unveil Lusail tram designs
Traditional themes inspire look of 33m-long trams
Alstom and Qatar Rail have unveiled the design of the Citadis tram, which will circulate on the four-line Lusail tramway network north of Doha.
The design of the Lusail tram, with its front shaped like the bow of a vessel, is inspired by the traditional dhow boats of the Gulf, the two companies said in a joint press announcement. The tram’s blue tones also reflect the sea and the interior design echoes the architecture of the area, incorporating touches of yellow that recall the Lusail flower, the announcement added.
“Across our projects, our build and design stages have been guided by the powerful coming together of tradition with modernity,” said Abdulla Al Subaie, Qatar Rail’s Managing Director. “Deeply entrenched in Qatari culture and heritage, the Lusail tram designs celebrate the convergence of our country’s history with ground-breaking technologies and cutting-edge solutions. We are creating a seamless consumer journey and experience built around the local community’s needs and values.”
Gian Luca Erbacci, senior vice president for Alstom Middle East & Africa, said: “There are currently more than 1,800 Alstom light rail vehicles in operation throughout the world. Each Citadis has its own specific design and is customized to reflect its city’s image and culture. We are very happy to have partnered with Qatar Railways to come up with a unique design that will certainly please the passengers and residents of Lusail.”
Alstom is part of the consortium working on the Lusail tram, which has four lines totalling 38km, including a 10km underground stretch, with 30 stations.
The Citadis trams will be 33m long with five cars and can accommodate 207 passengers in “common” and “family” classes. They can also be coupled to double capacity. The tramway will be powered via ground power supply on all the lines at-grade. The first five Citadis trams will be manufactured in La Rochelle, France, and in Barcelona, Spain, thereafter.
