Doha Metro has changed the way how Qatar travels. From shopping to family outing, Metro trains have transformed the commuting habits of country’s car-loving residents. Affordability and convenience are two major factors that have prompted residents to leave their cars at home and hop on Metro trains.
After the launch of preview service of Red, Gold and Green Lines, the travel has become cheaper and easier to travel across Doha. Now all the major tourist spots, shopping destinations and public parks in Doha can be reached by using Doha Metro network.
Residents are now spending less while travelling to work or going for sightseeing. For example, if a person living in Al Wakra decides to go to Mall of Qatar by hiring a taxi, he would have to shell out around QR50 to QR70 for one way travel. But, he can reach Mall of Qatar by spending just QR2 on metro ticket.
There are metro link transport services which take commuters free of cost from different places in Wakra to Al Wakra metro station. By taking train from Wakra station, a person can reach Mall of Qatar by taking Green Line from Msheireb Station.
Convenience is another advantage which metro trains have added in commuters’ life. “Last month, there was a much publicised sale in several retail outlets in Mall of Qatar. My husband, along with me, drove car from our home at Ezdan 4 to all the way to Mall of Qatar. We reached at the mall but could not enter because there was no parking available due to huge crowd. After several futile attempts to find parking, we returned home without even entering the mall,” Ananya Das, resident of Al Wukair told The Peninsula. “Doha Metro is a big relief for us. After launch of Green Line, we have already visited Mall of Qatar by using metro train. Our visit to Mall of Qatar this time was full of fun and hassle-free, unlike our previous attempt,” she added.
Residents are avoiding traffic rush by using metro trains. If a person staying in Aspire Park area wants to visit National Museum of Qatar, he can avoid a drive of around 20 kilometre by taking train from Al Aziziya stations and reach the museum without facing traffic jams.
The glimpse of Doha Metro’s success was evident after the launch of preview service of the first line- Green Line, but that was just a preview of things to come.
Crowded trains on weekly-offs reflect that Doha metro has become first choice for family outings while rush of formally dressed office goers demonstrate that professionals prefer trains than driving car.
Data coming from Qatar Rail only confirm the obvious popularity of trains. For example, over 333,000 passengers had used Doha Metro network on this year’s December 18 to reach different destinations holding Qatar National Day celebrations.