Qatar Foundation’s Education City Tram has launched its new Green Line – connecting the North and South Campuses of Education City.Stops on the North Campus include Education City Community Housing, Qatar Foundation (QF) research centres, the Premier Inn Doha Education City Hotel, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar National Convention Centre, and Sidra Medicine, with the South Campus housing universities and schools at Education City. The new line, which opened to the public on July 29, also connects Education City Community Housing to both campuses."The Education City Tram supports Ministry of Transport’s (MoT) efforts and plans for delivering an integrated, sustainable public transit network in Qatar, which covers all urban areas and forms a coherent transportation unit that connects public buses, Doha Metro, and Lusail Tram, given that Education City is already connected to that system with bus and metro stations,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid al-Thani, technical office director, MoT."Expanding the Education City Tram’s scope of service also contributes to backing the MOT’s strategy for a full switch to a transportation system powered by clean, ecofriendly electric energy, aiming to serve the country’s sustainable development requirements and implement Qatar's National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, thereby making us one more step closer to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.”Nasser al-Hajri, executive director of Capital Projects at QF, said: "The launch of the Green Line further signifies QF’s commitment to a sustainable campus."As a beacon of innovation, we prioritise the well-being of our Education City community, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering a greener future. This investment in eco-friendly mobility not only enhances the quality of life for students and staff, but also exemplifies our dedication to building a thriving, environmentally responsible community for generations to come.”Hamad al-Kuwari, executive director, City Operations at QF, said: "Today, we embark on a new journey as we inaugurate the Green Line, connecting Sidra Medicine, Qatar National Convention Centre, Qatar Science & Technology Park, and our residential areas to the South Campus of Education City."The addition of the new line sees knowledge, innovation, and community intertwine, supports ideas to flourish and collaborations to thrive, and is a further stride toward a sustainable transportation ecosystem. Together, we are creating a landscape where learning, discovery, and transportation harmoniously coexist, helping to shape a brighter, greener future.”Marwan Dhuhair, a PhD student at QF member Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering, who lives in Education City student housing, says he prefers using the tram to any other form of transport around Education City. "I use the tram every day to get around Education City and to connect to the metro,” he said. "There is a stop right outside my housing, and the trams are very regular.”He also believes it’s more environmentally friendly than using a car: "Even my friends who have cars use the trams because they’re so accessible and a much greener option. I will definitely use the new Green Line as I visit Sidra Medicine and Qatar Computing Research Institute, which are both on this new line, regularly, and it will make it much easier for me to get to them.”The tram, which has just reached the milestone of serving one million passengers, first launched with the Blue Line on December 25, 2019, which begins at Mathaf and follows the Academic Loop. The Yellow Line launched on October 12, 2020, runs from Al Shaqab to the Education City Stadium, and passes through Oxygen Park, Minaretein, and the Ceremonial Court, among other stops, during its journey.
July 30, 2023 | 02:39 PM