In line with its continuous efforts to provide a comprehensive travel experience, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Qatar Rail has made preparations to integrate Doha Metro with other modes of transport, including feeder buses service that will take passengers to and from stations. It has also signed several partnerships agreements with other service providers to transport passengers at a low cost.
Metro Link, a complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the metro stations and their surrounding areas, has been launched to support Doha Metro’s preview service. Travellers praised the feeder bus service saying that it will make their travel comfortable.
A source at the Ministry said that many buses have been allocated for Doha Metro commuters. Seven buses are allocated to transport the passengers to and from Al Wakra station to Ezdan Villages, Al Wakra Hospital and Barwa City and Religious Complex among others.
He said, “For rest of the stations there are buses according to the population density, some stations have one bus, while some have two buses. Also, we will sign contracts with some transportation companies such as Uber and others at reasonable prices, and we will announce about some amazing services in the next few weeks.”
In a press statement, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said, “Information about the service and bus stops can be accessed through the Qatar Rail mobile application. In addition, Karwa taxi service is providing fixed tariffs for Doha Metro passengers. Other transportation solutions will be added, and reduced prices for metro passengers will be offered with other transport service providers, in the near future.”
As part of Qatar Rail’s aim to reduce the public’s dependence on private cars, car parking areas in stations are limited. Drop off and pick up parking areas are provided in all stations, although there are some stations that have limited parking spaces such as Al Wakra and Al Qasr.
The first day of the initial operation of the first part of the Doha Metro’s Red Line witnessed the attendance of a number of citizens and residents enjoying the Metro experience.
Speaking to TP, a resident Francisco from Mexico said: “I am working in Doha since seven years and a half. The Metro is important for Doha city to avoid traffic and it is important to have such transportation in Qatar. We need to arrive on time because it is not good to arriving at your work late, and Metro will solve this problem.”
Francisco further said: “I believe that it will be a great success. It is important for people who have low income to use compared to taxi fares. For example, I was paying QR30 to taxi to reach my work in West Bay and today I paid only QR2. When we also speak about QR6 for around trip it is very cheap compared to other transportation.”
For his part, a resident Dinesh, an Indian expatriate, affirmed his keenness to use the Metro saying, “The advantage of using it is that it is cheap and help in avoiding traffic which is a headache for everyone. Also it saves time because we are wasting a lot of time to reach our work, but from today we can reach in few minutes.”
Share This Post
