Qatar Railways Unveil Doha Metro and Lusail Tram Designs

Image courtesy of Qatar Railways

Qatar Railways Company have unveiled the newly designed Doha Metro and Lusail Trams, which are due to begin operating passenger services in 2020. The metro design is intended to reflect ‘Al Faras,’ an Arabian Mare representative of intelligence and speed, as the driverless metro trains will be among the fastest in the world, and certainly the fastest in the region with an operating speed of 100km/h. The tram designs are based on ‘Al Mehmel’, which symbolises a traditional Qatari pearl-fishing boat.

Abdulla Al Subaie, Qatar Rail’s Managing Director said:

“Across our projects, our build and design stages have been guided by the powerful coming together of tradition with modernity. Deeply entrenched in Qatari culture and heritage, the Lusail Tram and Doha Metro designs celebrate the convergence of our country’s history with groundbreaking technologies and cutting-edge solutions., We are creating a seamless consumer journey and experience built around the local community’s needs and values.”

The systems package for the Doha Metro is being developed by a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries led consortium, delivering the power, ventilation and signalling systems for what will be one of the world’s largest metro system projects. A total of 75 three-car trains will run on the Doha Metro, designed and built by Kinki Sharyo Co. Ltd. in Osaka, Japan.

Thierry Boussillon, Deputy Programme Director of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said:

“We are delighted to supply the Doha Metro System to Qatar Rail. The Rolling Stock Al Faras design was borne through close coordination with Qatar Rail and our aesthetic design team. It combines the most modern technology with a unique yet elegant shape, and Qatari culture and heritage.”

An Alstom and QDVC led consortium is currently undertaking the construction of the Lusail tramway system. This includes the delivery of 28 Citadis trams, power supply and signalling systems and track works. The project will use mechanised track-laying technology.

Gian Luca Erbacci, Senior Vice President Middle East & Africa, Alstom 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 Rail to come up with a unique design that will certainly please the passengers and residents of Lusail.”

Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail, said:

“The official unveiling of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram designs is an occasion for us to look at how close we’ve come to bringing our vision to life.  This new milestone is an opportunity for us to bring the progress of our projects back to the future of transport in Qatar; one that is designed and built to world-class standards of modernity and innovation but, most importantly, that remains deeply rooted in our country’s history and community.”

Phase One of the Doha Metro will be delivered in 2019/20. By 2030, the metro, tram and long-distance rail network will be completed.