Extending from Al Qassar in the north to Al Wakra in the south, the Red Line has five more set-to-open stations including Katara, Legtaifiya, Qatar University, Lusail, and the Hamad International Airport.

The launch, which was originally planned for 2020, comes almost one year ahead of schedule. It is an important stage for testing the Doha Metro system with passengers, providing an opportunity to evaluate and review the performance in preparation for the full operation of the network.

For those of you who haven't tried riding the state-of-the-art trains yet, compiled in this article are some of the commuters' many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the newly-opened railway system that ranges from "How long does it take to reach Point A to Point B?" to "Is the railway disabled-friendly?"

We've got all the answers just for you so make sure to keep on scrolling down!

What are the first 13 Red Line stations to open and where are they close to?

1. Al Qassar (near Katara Cultural Village)
2. DECC (beside City Centre)
3. QIC (West Bay)
4. Corniche (near Qatar Tennis Federation)
5. Al Bidda (Al Rayyan road)
6. Msheireb (central station)
7. Al Doha Al Jadeda
8. Umm Ghawalina
9. Al Matar Qadeem (opposite Family Food Center)
10. Oqba Ibn Nafie (E-Ring road)
11. Free Zone
12. Ras Abu Fontas (near Barwa Village)
13. Al Wakra

What are the different metro travel cards?

To travel on the metro, you will need to buy a travel card. There are three different types—Limited Use Travel Cards, Standard Travel Card, and Gold Travel Cards.

The most common out of the three is the Standard Travel Card (STC) which is a reusable plastic travel card that costs QR 10. This card must have travel credit added to it before you can use it to travel. This Travel Card does not permit travel in the Gold section of the Doha Metro trains. 

A non-reusable, paper travel card that contains either a single journey or day pass, the cost of the Limited Use Travel Card (LUTC) depends on the type of product you are purchasing (a single journey or a day pass) and the class of travel you want to travel in (Standard or Gold Club). 

Lastly, the Gold Travel Card (GTC) is a reusable plastic card that costs QR 100. This card permits travel in the Gold Club sections of the Doha Metro trains. This card must have travel credit added to it before you can use it to travel.

When in doubt on what to buy, feel free to approach any Doha Metro staff. They are more than willing to explain the fares and help you choose and buy the best option for your needs.

Where can I buy metro travel cards?

STCs and LUTCs can be purchased from self-service Travel Vending Machines (TVMs) which are available inside all Doha Metro stations. GTCs, on the other hand, can only be purchased from Gold Club information counters located inside metro stations.

STCs are also available in different stores across the country including Al Meera, Lulu, Carrefour, and Jumbo Electronic.

Note: There are pocket-sized metro guides and travel card sleeves available in every Gold Club information counter so make sure to grab one of each before you embark on your journey!

How do I add credits to my travel card?

If you're an STC or GTC holder, you can do this (and a whole lot more!) by "topping up" at the nearest TVM. Located inside all Doha Metro stations, TVMs also allows passengers to check the remaining balance in their card using the same machine before or after every ride!

Note: Licensed retailers are not able to top up travel cards.

How long are travel cards valid for?

A travel card can be used again and again as it is valid for five years, so don't throw it away. A standard and gold club travel card can hold a maximum amount of travel credit.

How much does each train ride cost?

Doha metrogoers will enjoy a modern, low-cost transport system, making the Doha Metro accessible to all.

A single journey will cost QR 2 for STC holders (including Family Class), while a day pass (3 rides or more within the day) will cost QR 6. A single journey will cost QR 10 for GTC members, while a day pass will cost them QR 30.

Are kids free of charge?

Anyone aged 5 and above needs either one of the three travel cards to travel on the Doha Metro so meaning, adult and child fares are basically the same. Children aged 4 and below do not need a travel card and must be accompanied by a fare paying adult. A child must be 9 years old or above to travel alone on the network. Younger kids should be accompanied by someone at least 16 years of age.

What is the central metro station?

Msheireb, also called as the "Interchange station" as all lines (Red, Green, and Gold) are meeting at this point, is the Doha Metro's central station. It is also the largest one.

How long does it take to reach one station to another?

As for the frequency of the trains, there will be a train every six minutes, and the travel time between stations is three minutes.

What are the three cabins found inside each train?

In total, 110 trains—consisting of three cars, one of which will be for Gold and Family Class and two for Standard class—comprise the Doha Metro:

• Gold Club: Only GTC holders who pay QR 10 per ride can occupy this cabin.
• Family: STC holders who are riding the metro as families can occupy this cabin. Men are strictly not allowed inside the family section.
• Standard: This is where STC holders who are riding the metro solo, with a friend, or as a group can enjoy their time.

Gold has 16 seats, Family 26 seats, and 88 seats for Standard.

What do Karwa shuttle buses exactly do? And how much does it cost to ride one?

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 services that will take passengers to and from stations.

For example, 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.

In the Al Wakra station for example, seven buses are allocated to transport the passengers to and from the above-mentioned station to Ezdan Villages, Al Wakra Hospital, and Barwa City and Religious Complex among others.

Listed below are the bus numbers and last timings of Metro Link shuttles in every station:

• M103 AL QASSAR - 11:05PM
• M105 DECC - 11:02PM
• M138 MSHEIREB - 10:51PM
• M114 DOHA AL JADEDA (to Umm Ghuwailina area)- 10:51PM
• M115 DOHA AL JADEDA (to Najma and Fereej Bin Derhem)- 10:53PM
• M116 UMM GHUWAILINA - 11:54PM
• M140 FREE ZONE - 11:01
• M126 RAS BU FONTAS - 11:06
• M128 AL WAKRA (to Al Wakra South Area) - 11:08PM
• M130 AL WAKRA (to Ezdan 4-7) - 11:07PM
• M131 AL WAKRA (to Ezdan 3 & 8-11) - 11:07PM
• M134 AL WAKRA (to Al Wakra South and Wakra Hospital) - 11:07PM
• M125 QBA IBN NAFIE - 11:03PM

Note: Buses run every 12 minutes except for Free Zone (20 minutes). It is also worth knowing that the Al Bidda, Corniche, West Bay, and Matar Al Qadeem stations don't offer shuttle bus services.

In addition, Karwa taxi service is providing fixed tariffs for Doha Metro passengers. Karwa taxi passengers travelling to and from any Metro station can book their taxi through the Karwa App using the promo code RAIL to avail flat QR 8 promotional fare for a journey within 3 kilometers

Other transportation solutions will be added, and reduced prices for metro passengers will be offered with other transport service providers, in the near future.

Any points of interest inside the stations?

Each station contains a customer service center, Gold Club office, a police booth, separate male and female prayer areas, and restrooms that cater for people with disabilities. The stations also include monitors to display journey information and train services, as well as signage to guide the visitors. All stations are equipped with security cameras and a first aid room to preserve the security and safety of all passengers.

We've also received a scoop that food stalls and shopping kiosks are also set to open around the metro stations especially once the Red Line and the rest of the entire railway system are fully operational!

The stations, once 100% up and running, will be such a cool place to be that passengers will not only want to travel through it but also want to hang out there with friends and family.

You'll soon find numerous retail outlets within the stations, so allow time for a little shopping and refreshments!

Is the metro disabled-friendly?

Absolutely yes. There's a space for manual and electric wheelchairs on all trains and trams, along with dedicated seating areas and dedicated drop-off areas for customers with reduced mobility. They can even request for a station familiarisation tour from one of Doha Metro's staff.

Moreover, tactile paths are provided to assist with navigation for customers with visual impairments. Restrooms that cater for people with disabilities are also available throughout every station.

Are there parking spaces in metro stations?

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 Qasr.

Are filming and photography allowed inside?

According to the metro's rulebook, no one's allowed to film or take photographs on the network for commercial gain without prior consent from Qatar Rail.

If you're filming with your camera phones, make sure to be respectful of others. 

Can I bring animals and pets with me?

No. With the exception of guide dogs accompanying blind passengers and hearing dogs accompanying deaf passengers.

What about luggage?

You may, at the network's discretion and at your risk, travel with luggage at no additional cost. Passengers are responsible for their luggage at all times and must ensure it does not cause any injury or inconvenience to other passengers or block emergency exits or walkways.

When will the Red Line fully open? What about the Green and Gold ones?

The Red Line will be fully functional by the end of the year while the grand opening of the entire network is by 2020, according to Chief of Service Delivery at Qatar Rail Eng. Abdulla Saif Al Sulaiti.

Is there a Qatar Rail App available for download?

Yes, there is! Using the Qatar Rail app, you can register, create an account, and link your travel cards altogether. Customers can also use the application’s journey planner to manage their trips and view the network map and current operational stations. 

Serving both the Tram (Lusail) and Metro (all over Doha), the Qatar Rail app is available on App Store and Google Play.

What are the operating hours?

The trains are up and running daily from 8:00AM to 11:00PM on weekdays ONLY (Sunday to Thursday). The service will stop during weekends to progress the work required to open more stations and lines.

Note: The above timing is only for the soft opening phase. They will probably operate over the weekends too once the Red Line is fully open. We'll keep you updated on this news for sure!

To know more about Qatar Rail, check out its website and social media links below!

About Qatar Rail

Website: https://www.qr.com.qa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qrc.o...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metr...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/metrotram_...

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