Doha Metro, Qatar: Get To Know Everything About This Advance Transit System In Qatar

Doha Metro is one of the most valuable and renowned projects in Qatar which has made lives of people so much easier. Doha Qatar Metro, a mass rapid transit system stretches to 75 km with 37 stations distributed among 3 lines which are red, green and gold. This advanced rail system is one of the fastest driverless metro systems in the world, making lives of local people quite easier and budget-friendly. The Doha metro system is a lavish one which promises a comfortable ride to the people of Qatar.

Different Lines On The First Phase Of Qatar Metro - Doha Metro Map

In the initial stage of Doha Metro, a total of 3 lines have been opened which connect different parts of Qatar. Red, green and gold lines are the ones fully operational and the authorities are planning to open blue line as well later on.

Red Line

The very first line to open in Qatar as a part of this metro project was red line which was inaugurated in the year 2019. Stretching around 40 km, the red line has currently 18 active stations connecting Al Wakrah to Lusail city in the north. This line is also significant due to the fact that it connects Hamad International Airport to the city center of Doha. The stations on the Doha Metro Red Line are Lusail, Qatar University, Legtaifiya, Katara, Al Qassar, DECC, West Bay, Corniche, Al Bidda, Msheireb, Al Doha Al Jadeda, Umm Ghuwaillina, Al Matar Al Qadeem, Oqba Ibn Nafie, Free Zone, Ras Bu Fontas and Al Wakrah. Metro interchange option is available at Al Bidda and Msheireb stations.

Red Line at a Glance:

Total length: 40 km

Total number of stations: 18

Interchangeable stations: Al Bidda and Msheireb

Green Line

The Doha Metro Green Line was opened to visitors in December 2019 which connects Al Mansoura to Al Riffa. There are a total of 11 stations on this line and it stretches 22 km in length. Al Riffa, Education City, Qatar National Library, Al Shaqab, Al Rayyen Al Qadeem, Al Messila, Hamad Hospital, The White Palace, Al Bidda, Msheireb and Al Mansoura, out of these Al Bidda and Msheireb are inter-changeable stations. Hamad Hospital, Qatar National Library and Education City are the most remarkable stations on this line.

Green Line at a Glance:

Total Length: 22 km

Total number of stations: 11

Interchangeable stations: Al Bidda and Msheireb

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Gold Line

One of the most incredible and premium lines on Doha Metro route is the gold line which connects Ras Bu Abboud to Al Aziziyah. Stretching in a distance of around 14 km, this line has 11 stations and was inaugurated on 21st November 2019 as a part of Qatar Integrated Rail Project. Al Aziziyah, Sport City, Al Waab, Al Sudan, Al Sadd, Joaan, Bin Mahmoud, Msheireb, Souq Waqif, National Museum and Ras Bu Abboud. Doha metro map has been installed at various metro stations in Qatar to guide the passengers on different routes and stations.

Gold Line at a Glance:

Total Length: 14 km

Total number of stations: 11

Interchangeable stations: Msheireb

Travel Cards For Doha Metro: What You Need To Know

The Doha Metro travel cards are a perfect medium to travel around the city and its nearby areas without any hassle. Visitors get two different options of cards apart from the limited time card and can pick either one as per their travel requirements. Here’s what you need to know about the travel cards.

Standard Travel Cards -

The standard travel metro cards are reusable and cost a mere QAR 6. Travelers can either avail a single journey pass at QAR 2 or avail a Day Pass at QAR 6. Besides, here's what you need to know about it.

• Travelers can top up the card with travel credit
• The card is valid on Doha Metro and Lusail Tram
• The travel card can only be purchased by people aged five years and over.
• The cards can be purchased at vending machines, website or through the metro app

Gold Club Travel Cards -

The Gold Club cards are reusable and cost QAR 100. Travelers can even avail a day journey at QAR 10 or opt for a day pass for QAR 30. Here's what you need to know about the gold club cards.

• The cards can be used to top up with travel credit
• All metro gold club cards are valid at Doha Metro and Lusail Tram
• Travelers above the age of 5 or more only purchase the Gold Club card
• The cards can be purchased from gold club offices at all Doha metro stations
• As for top-up, one can top up the card through station vending machines, gold club offices, website and even the app

(Note:- Travelers can even avail a limited use card apart from the standard and gold club cards that are offered to the visitors. As for the prices, one can check the prices through the concerned authorities)

Qatar Doha Metro Facts

• With a speed of 100 km per hour, the Doha Metro is one of the fastest metro systems in the world.  In fact, it is the fastest rail network in the Middle East.
• As the FIFA World Cup 2022 edges ever closer, there are estimations that the Doha metro network will be ferrying a staggering one million visitors during the world cup.
• While the first phase of the Doha metro includes three lines, the second phase will be completed by 2026 and will be an expansion of the first phase, adding an additional blue line to the metro network.
• There will be a total of 72 stations that will be built in the second phase of the metro project in Doha.
• The design of each Doha metro station in Qatar will reflect the rich heritage of the country. In fact, the platforms will be inspired by traditional Bedouin tents.

Significance of Doha Metro in Terms of Qatar’s National Vision 2030

The national vision of Qatar has been the talk of the hour for quite some time now and aims to make Qatar the most prosperous country in the world by 2030. The idea here is to achieve the International standards of modernity and luxury while preserving the rich tradition of the country. Hence, major projects like the development highways, makeover of cities like Lusail are widely underway in Qatar.

As for the metro network, the system is one of the most pivotal parts of the national vision and Qatar has time and again emphasized the fact that the metro will play a big hand in supporting the vision of the country. Interestingly, the role of the private sector is set to be massive in the development of the metro network and the Lusail tram. The share of contracts awarded to the private sector has gone up to 70% with time. Likewise, the role of the private sector in joint ventures too is set to be 15% as far as the metro and tram projects are concerned.

Doha Metro Timing & Fare

Here are the Qatar Metro timings during which the rail network is set to operate.

• Saturday to Wednesday: 6 am to 11 pm
• Thursday: 6 am to 12 midnight
• Friday: 2 pm to 12 midnight

Likewise, here’s what you need to know about the Doha metro fares.

• Standard class passengers: QR2 for single journey ticket and QR6 for a day pass
• Gold Class passengers: QR10 for single journey ticket and QR30 for a day pass

Travelers can even purchase a day pass that allows them to commute through the Doha metro all day. The pass is valid from the time of purchase until 02:59.

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Feeder Buses For Faster Commute

In order to make the daily commute to and from the metro stations easier for the travelers, the Qatar rail in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communication has been constantly working on making the travel experience more comprehensive for the people. As part of this plan, feeder buses along with other modes of transport have come up to offer an easy commute to and from the stations, including the Doha metro red line stations. Interestingly, these other services of transport offer passengers an economical way of travel.

Take an example of the Metro Link shuttle service, for instance. A complimentary transport service that runs to and from the metro station alongside other areas, this is an effort in order to support the Doha metro preview service. Likewise, Karwa taxis will also be made available to the passengers at reduced prices in the time to come.

The Advent Of A Mobile Application

Another step that has been taken by the Qatar rail to allow passengers easy access to the metro services is the launch of an app. As part of its preview service, the app has been created in order to allow passengers to register and link and travel cards to the app. While offering an interactive journey planner to tourists, the app would also provide information about the whole system map and live operational stations, Doha Metro timings, and so much more. In fact, travelers would also be able to know the live status of the metro service.

Points Worth Noting About The Doha Metro Stations

While there are numerous facts and figures surrounding the Doha Metro Service, here are a few things you need to know about the stations of Doha metro.

• The stations of Doha Metro would be fully air-conditioned indoor stations.
• By making use of the traditional elements of Islamic and local art, the Doha Metro stations have been given a heritage look much to the liking of passengers.
• Each station of the Doha metro contains a police booth, gold club office, customer care station, separate prayer areas for males and females, restrooms for people with disabilities, and so much more.
• Each station is equipped with security cameras and has a first-aid room.

Safety & Security With Doha Metro

Not only is the Doha Metro world-class in every possible way, the metro even ensures the safety and security of passengers at every level. As the records put it, top of the line safety measures have been applied in the construction of the metro station. Since Qatar railway lays extra emphasis on emergency planning and response on the railway network, extra consideration has been given in this regard to ensure safety at all levels.

History Of Doha Metro

Here’s a thing, the Doha Metro, like most of the top projects in Qatar, has a considerable history behind it, and here are the things about as far as the history of Doha Metro is concerned.

• 2009 was the year when Qatari Diar and Deutsche Bahn came together and signed a joint venture to develop the concept of a railway network in Qatar.
• In 2011, Qatar Rail became the sole owner of the whole metro project in Qatar while Deutsche Bahn took over the consulting role.
• As far as the gold line is concerned, a consortium of Larsen & Toubro, Al Jaber Engineering, Yapi Merkezi, STFA Group, and Aktor were awarded the contract to design and construct the Doha Metro Gold Line.

Metro Lines To Different Popular Attractions In Qatar

Commutation in Qatar has been greatly improved with the opening of Doha Metro lines and 36 functional stations that connect different cities in the country and gives access to major popular attractions in Qatar.

Doha Festival City

Traveling to Doha Festival City is now a hassle-free task with the opening of Red Line. Passengers can board the red line and alight at the 14th station (Lusail-QNB metro station) which is also the last station on this route. After getting down at this stop, take the feeder bus service operated by Doha metro which will take you to Doha Festival City directly.

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City Center & Gate Mall

Red line is the main line that will take you to City Center & Gate Mall. Alight at the DECC station and from there take a short walk to City Center and Gate Mall as both of them are located near the station. If you are coming via Gold line then you need to interchange at Msheireb and take red line. Then, get down at the DECC station and take a short walk to reach the mall.

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Mall of Qatar

One of the most popular malls in Qatar, Mall of Qatar can be easily reached by taking green line of the Doha Metro. Alight at the Al Riffa station and follow the signs which will take you to the mall directly. If you are coming via red line, then you need to change metro on the Msheireb station or Al Bidda station and take green line metro from here. If you are coming via Gold line then interchange at Msheireb station and take the green line to reach the Mall of Qatar by getting down at the Al Riffa station.

Ezdan Mall

It is very easy to get to Ezdan Mall by taking red line of the Doha Qatar Metro. Alight at the Al Wakra Station which is the last station of this line and then take M134 which is the Metro Link that will take you directly to the mall. If you are coming via Gold Line, then interchange for red line at the Msheireb station. If you are coming via green line, then interchange either at Al Bidda station or Msheireb station for the red line and alight at Al Wakra to reach Ezdan Mall.

Villagio Mall

Villagio Mall is located on the Gold Line and one can alight at the Al Aziziyah Station. If you want to go to Hyatt Plaza from here then you need to take a feeder bus which will take you directly to the plaza. If you have taken red line then you need to interchange at the Msheireb station for the gold line and then get down at the Al Aziziyah Station. Same goes for green line, you need to interchange at Msheireb for the gold line and alight at Al Aziziyah station to get to the Villagio Mall.

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Renowned as one of the finest railway systems in the world, the Qatar Doha Metro has come up as a major attraction for tourists coming from around the world. With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, the anticipation regarding the metro network in the country is high. Besides, the metro is set to play a big hand in the commute of travelers and the concerned authorities in Qatar are working towards making the journey as accessible as possible. With over a million visitors estimated to travel by metro during the upcoming event, the importance of this project is already telling. So, if you’re one of those travelers planning to book their flights to Qatar, the Doha metro may well be your go-to options to travel around the city.

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