The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has released documents that outline the Qatar 2050 Transportation Master Plan according to which the Public Transport Network Models of the Horizon Year 2025 and 2030 will include the 3-Line Metro network (Phase 1), 4 Lines of the Lusail LRT network, Tram Lines (People Mover Network), and the streetcar system of the Heart of Doha.
Ministry of Transport (MOT) twitter link
The Horizon Year 2035 scenario will also include the development of the long-distance and national rail network, which along with the Metro network, will constitute the backbone of the public transport network. The following secondary transport systems have also been implemented in the Horizon Year 2035:
- The Automated People Mover in West Bay area
- The Water Taxi Service, connecting Doha Port - West Bay - The Pearl - Lusail Marina - Lusail.
The same Public Transport scenario is assumed in the Horizon Year 2050.
Long Distance and Regional Rail Network
The Master Plan also highlights the Long Distance and Regional Rail Network plans. It states:
Public transport is a system designed to cater for groups of passengers and is available for use by the general public. Public transport in Qatar is at an important stage in its development, with the opening of several lines of the Qatar Metro and LRT, as well as a number of new or expanded bus services.
The Updated TMPQ includes further infrastructure and service provision initiatives, which promote an increased efficiency of the transportation system as a whole, forming an integrated network of services which can meet future travel demand. In addition, collective travel can contribute to reducing road congestion while providing social and environmental benefits, especially where the available capacity is restricted at certain times, faced against an ever-increasing demand.
The proposed public transport schemes have aimed to:
- Encourage the use of public transport in the central Doha area through policy implementation;
- Execute public transport projects to improve connectivity with the existing metro network and
- Expand the public transport network areas with high population and employment densities.
The long-distance rail network proposed for Qatar will support the transportation of passengers and freight, hence promoting economic and social development. There are four schemes in the final list of rail schemes comprised in the Updated TMPQ. Three of these are infrastructure schemes, and one is regulatory. The infrastructure schemes comprise of a passenger rail line connecting Qatar with Saudi Arabia, as well as a new Doha Main International Terminal connecting with HIA. There is also a freight rail line connecting Saudi Arabia with Hamad Port and Mesaieed Industrial City.
Five rail schemes have been deferred beyond 2050, due to lack of demand to justify them. These included two passenger rail lines, two commuter rail, and one freight rail line.
Proposed Qatar Metro network
The proposed Qatar Metro network is quite extensive, with Phase 1 already implemented and several other phases in the planning phase. However, some potential gaps in future extension coverage or interconnectivity warranted the consideration of additional routes and further connectivity with other transportation modes. The final list of Metro schemes comprises eight infrastructure schemes, with Phase 3 extensions of the Green, Red and Gold lines, a new Blue Line, and southward extensions of the Red Line to the Naval base and Mesaieed Industrial City.
Six Metro schemes have been deferred beyond 2050, including northern Red Line extensions to Al Khor and Ras Laffan, as the projected demands are insufficient to justify the schemes.
One Light Rail scheme is proposed, called the Silver Line, with connection within and to Lusail New Town. The previously proposed Pink and Purple Lines in the same area, are deferred beyond 2050 due to lack of demand justification.
