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Hisham Aljundi
Doha
QATAR Rail projects will lessen traffic congestions in greater Doha by 50 percent when opened, said Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Rail Company Engineer Abdullah al Subaie.
Subaie said this before the members of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) during a session with officials from Qatar Rail.
The railway project will not only reduce traffic jams but will also save the country QR3 billion annually, according to Subaie.
"The average time spent in traffic jams in Qatar annually is 106 hours, which equals to QR6.5 billion waste of money. So, by saving this money, the project will recoup its QR70 billion total cost in 25 years of operation," Subaie said.
He added that the phase 1 of the opening of the railway stations has a capacity to absorb at least 20 percent of the total population of Qatar.
"The public transport is an essential aspect in any country. Meanwhile, less than one percent of people in Qatar are using the public transport, which is not satisfying," he said.
Besides, he said the Doha Metro will provide cheap rides starting at QR2 in the first year of operation, which will save transport expenses for people with low income.
"The railway station will reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent as it is estimated to avoid using 70,000 vehicles every day," Subaie explained, assuring that there is also an eco-friendly side of the project which goes in line with Qatar's national strategy on sustainable development in environment.
Subaie said the railway would benefit schoolchildren who pay around QR300 as transport fees while, with the rail, it will only cost them QR114.
"Even university students who come from far areas such as Al Wakra can save so much time and effort without the need to drive all the way to Doha. They can simply be dropped at the rail stations in their area," Subaie added.
He also said that the railway project will save much land dedicated for parking, especially in the congested areas such as the West Bay as there will be no need for them.
Asked about the transport from and to the rail stations, Subaie said they have coordinated with Mowasalat to dedicate shuttle buses in the neighbourhoods within a range of three kilometres radius around the stations to drop and pick up passengers.
