RKH Qitarat, composed of RATP Dev, Keolis and Hamad Group, opened Doha Metro Red Line South

On 8 May 2019, RKH Qitarat, the joint venture consisting of RATP Dev, Keolis and Hamad Group*, opened the first section of the Doha metro to the public. This follows the award in December 2017 by Qatar Rail of a contract to operate and maintain Qatar’s first urban rail transport network for a period of 20 years. The network includes three automated metro lines in Doha, the Qatari capital, and four tram lines located in the city of Lusail.

Last modified on 24 May 2023

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On 8 May 2019, the Doha Metro Red Line South opened to the public. Initial operation includes 13 out of 18 stations of the line, which will connect Al Qassar in the North to Al Wakrah in the South. For this first stage of the launch, service will be ensured from Sunday to Thursday, from 8am to 11pm. 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 in 2020.

This major urban project is of crucial importance for the region as 90% of the Qatari population currently live in Doha and its surrounding suburbs (equivalent to 2.6 million people). Qatar wants to make the city of Doha more attractive to visitors and facilitate the daily journeys of the population as the country prepares for the post-fuel extraction era.

The Doha metro will be completely automated and driverless, incorporating three lines (Red, Green and Gold) 75km of track and 37 stations. It will be equipped with Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) technology — a control system based on WiFi communication between vehicles and computers controlling traffic. The metro network, which is expected to be completed by 2020, will carry 650,000 passengers per day.

The Lusail light rail network will cover 18km of track and consist of four lines serving 25 stations in total. What makes this light rail different is that 50% of the network will be underground.

Since the award of the contract, RKH Qitarat has hired almost 1,000 employees and recruited nearly as many sub-contractors.

We are delighted to open the first line of the Doha metro today. This opening represents a major milestone in the launch of Qatar’s first urban rail network. We are proud to collaborate with Qatar Rail on a project which will facilitate the mobility of residents and visitors in Doha and Lusail and we will do our utmost to provide a world class service quality and an amazing mobility experience

Thierry Couderc

RKH Qitarat CEO and Managing Director

Developing public transport is one of the key priorities of ‘Qatar Vision 2030’, the strategic plan established in 2008, which has served the government as a road map for the state’s economic, social and environmental development. The Emir of Qatar has strong development ambitions and seeks to become a global reference for smart cities. After significantly developing its road infrastructure, the state has made major investments in urban mobility and public transport to reduce serious congestion on its major roads.