Qatar railway: Ticket to ride

When Qatar put forward a bid to host the FIFA World Cup, the Qatar 2022 chief executive, Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, said: “All our state-of-the-art stadia will be linked to a brand new metro system and totally integrated with a comprehensive shuttle bus network, allowing fans to travel to games by public transport.”

With US$3bn having been approved as the kickoff investment, the country’s national rail project is now valued at US$37bn.

The project includes plans for a high-speed long distance rail link, driverless four-line Metro service for Doha and freight lines, the West Bay People Mover and overground rail system designed to distribute passengers around Doha’s tower district. As well as connecting all the stadium locations for the World Cup, the network will also include the Lusail Light Rail Network — currently the most advanced rail project in Qatar.

The Doha Metro Red line, between Messaieed in the south and Al Khor in the north, runs through the city and will be pushed for development first. It will serve five stadiums hosting matches during the World Cup: Al Khor, Lusail, Qatar University, New Sports City and Al Wakra.

Phase one also includes the Green Line which runs from Msheireb in the heart of the old city, to Education City. The line will cover Al Rayyan and Education City stadiums. Much of the Green line will be underground, surfacing as it passes through Education City. A portion of a third line, the Yellow line, will also be built and linked via a temporary branch from the Green Line at Al Rayyan Sports R/A which will serve Khalifa Stadium in Sports City.

Phase one will cover a total length of 129.4km, with 29km underground, 56.1km elevated and 44.3km at grade or ground level.

This project alone means a boost to the employment situation in the country, with a large number of people needed to get the railway on track for its deadline for the World Cup. However, there is only an eight-year window, rather than 10, to allow FIFA officials to have a look at the network and give its blessing.

Speaking at Construction Week Infrastructure Qatar, Geoff Mee, deputy CEO, Qatar Rail, said there are business opportunities available, both for entrepreneurs and construction and logistics companies.

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