Travellers waiting in line to get their travel cards from travel card vending machine. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar Rail has launched a special mobile application for metro services to encourage individuals to register, create an account, and link their travel cards. They can also use the application’s journey planner to manage their trips and view the network map and current operational stations. Passengers can also receive instant updates on the status of the service, via the website, digital screens at stations, and on trains.
Travelers can also link their travel cards with their Qatar Rail application which help them to see credit balance and plan journey on phone.
Every stations has multiple Travel Card Vending Machines which are easy to use. Travelers have to follow instructions on these touch screens machines to get new cards or tickets.
“I am excited to travel in Doha Metro, which is among the most advanced trains in the world. It will significantly reduce the travel time of residents,” Pankaj Mishra, an engineer, who was among the first few travelers of Doha Metro, told The Peninsula.
Another traveler, Neeraj Kumar said that he was eagerly awaiting for Doha Metro to start operations. “I have been seeing the trial runs of Doha Metro for past several months. Traveling on Doha Metro is like dream turning into reality for me,” he told The Peninsula.
The Red Line stations encompass a special architectural identity – that of ‘vaulted spaces’; a concept that reflects on the heritage of the region by introducing open spaces that mimic traditional Bedouin tents.
The design also uses ornamentations that shed light on the aesthetic elements and foundations of dynamic lighting and ventilation systems. The station mock-up brings to life the tribute that the Doha Metro station designs pay to Qatari heritage through the use of traditional elements of Islamic and local art and ‘pearl-effect’ interiors. The colours of the Red Line stations interiors reflect the identity of the Red Line, also known as the coastal Line, as it runs along the coastal side of Doha.
The stations are air conditioned indoor stations. Each station contains a customer service centre, 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.
