*Three types of cards can be used for Metro rides
*A mobile app provides users with an array of information
*Rides open Saturday to Thursday, from 8am-11pm
Qatar residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience a new mode of transport in the country with the soft opening of Doha Metro Red Line South today at 8am.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) had announced on May 6 that the line’s initial operation for the public will extend from Al Qassar (near The St Regis Doha) to Al Wakra. The service will be open from Saturday to Thursday, between 8am and 11pm.
Three types of travel cards can be used to ride the Metro - Standard Travel, Goldclub and Limited Use. Passengers can buy the Standard Travel cards from vending machines at Metro stations and licensed retailers such as Jumbo Electronics, LuLu, Al Meera and Carrefour, Qatar Rail said on its website (https://www.qr.com.qa).
Goldclub cards will be available at Goldclub offices at the Metro stations, while Limited Use cards can be bought from vending machines and Goldclub offices at stations.
Rides cost QR2 for a single journey and QR6 for day pass (Standard) while those travelling the Goldclub class will be charged QR10 and QR30, respectively. Goldclub has larger and more comfortable seats.
The fee for acquiring a Standard Travel card is QR10 while the Goldclub card costs QR100 (valid for five years from the date of purchase); credits for travel have to be added on to these cards. Children aged below five travel for free.
The Limited Use cards can be used for a single journey or for day-long travel. It cannot be topped up with travel credits unlike the Standard and Goldclub cards.
Besides Standard and Goldclub carriages, the trains also have a section for families.
The cards can also be used for the Lusail Tram once the service starts, according to the website.
Passengers can use 'free' feeder buses called Metrolink to reach the stations as well as to travel to nearby locations from the stations.
Discounted rides on Karwa taxis will also be available.
Mowasalat yesterday tweeted that Karwa taxi passengers travelling to and from any Metro station can book a taxi through the Karwa app using the promo code, RAIL, to avail of a flat QR8 promotional fare for a journey within 3km.
In another tweet, it said passengers can take the "first and last mile" to connect to Doha Metro, riding free "in the luxury and comfort" of the Metrolink feeder buses.
Qatar Rail said commuters who travel from Al Wakra station can avail of the free 'park and ride' provision on the western side of the shelter, which can accommodate up to 300 vehicles.
Folding bikes, wheelchairs, and motorised wheelchairs will be permitted inside the trains except for mobility scooter, hover-board or any motorised transport.
Eating on board the train is prohibited but drinking from containers with sealable-tops is allowed.
Doha Metro stations are equipped with advanced technologies such as digital screens and special tactile path on the floor, among others, for people with disabilities (PWD), assisting and guiding them on their journey.
PWD passengers can also make arrangements ahead by calling the customer service centre on 105.
Qatar Rail has also launched a mobile application where users can get an array of information such as answers to frequently asked questions, network map and how to plan the journey, among others.
Passengers are advised to register their travel cards on the mobile app to protect their balance if the card was lost or stolen, to view journey and transaction history, and to receive offers and promotions. Other features of the app such as real time information of the journey will be available soon.
Qatar Rail stressed that it strictly prohibits taking pictures and videos for commercial use inside the stations and on board the trains without prior authorisation.
Each passenger will be permitted to carry two large luggage besides small bags.
The metro stations have ATMs, food and retail outlets, prayer rooms and washrooms.
Covering 13 of its 18 stations, the first phase of the Red Line includes Al Qassar, DECC, QIC West Bay, Corniche, Al Bidda (Interchange station), Msheireb (Interchange station), Al Doha Al Jadeda, Umm Ghawailina, Al Matar Al Qadeem, Oqba Ibn Nafie, Free Zone, Ras Bu Fontas and Al Wakra.
Track facts
* Qatar Rail has launched a mobile app where users can get an array of information, including the network map, how to plan the journey, etc.
* Travel cards can be bought at Metro stations or licensed retailers (Jumbo Electronics, LuLu, Al Meera and Carrefour)
* Rides cost QR2 for a single journey and QR6 for a day pass (Standard). The initial fee to acquire a card is QR10 for Standard and QR30 for the Goldclub. These have to be topped up with credits for travel.
* Special feeder bus services and discounted taxi rates offered by Mowasalat.
