QATAR: The first section of the four-line Lusail tram networkwas opened for trial public services on January 1.
The first phase of the Orange Line starts at the Legtaifiya interchange with the Doha Metro and runs underground for 5·5 km to Energy City South, serving four intermediate stops at Marina, Marina Promenade, Yacht Club and Esplanade.
Trams will run seven days a week at 5 min intervals, and ticketing is integrated with the metro.
When completed, the tram network will have four lines totalling 28 km. There will be 25 stops including two interchanges with the metro.
Minister of Transport Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said the tramway supported the ministry’s plans for sustainable, multimodal, eco-friendly public transport using the world’s latest technology to provide safe, reliable, and high-quality services for all.
Contractors
In 2014 Qatar Rail awarded the contract to build the four-line network to a consortium of railway systems partner Alstom and the QDVC joint venture of Qatari Diar (51%) and Vinci Construction Grands Projets (49%). A joint venture of Hill International, Italferr and ASTAD Project Management was appointed to provide project management services.
The operating contract was awarded to the RKH Qitarat joint venture between a consortium of RATP Dev and Keolis (49%) and local construction, property and trading business Hamad Group (51%).
QDVC awarded Thales a subcontract to supply and maintain the supervision, telecoms, security and automatic fare collection systems.
As part of the railway systems contract Alstom has supplied 28 five-section Citadis X05 trams equipped with the APS ground-level power supply system. The 100% low-floor trams are 33 m long with capacity for 207 passengers in standard and family classes. Branded Al Mehmel, the vehicles feature styling inspired by a traditional pearl fishing dhow.
