Leading French technology company Thales Group said it has successfully delivered a full suite of solutions on all five sections of the three lines of the newly launched and fully operational Doha Metro.

Thales is part of a consortium with major Japanese groups Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation; Hitachi and Kinki Sharyo Company, that is responsible for delivering the systems package for the Doha Metro.

A first-of-its-kind in Qatar, these new lines are equipped with Thales’ advanced signalling and train control technology, comprehensive integrated communications and supervision package, as well as a state-of-the-art ticketing solution, said a statement from Thales.

The French group had successfully delivered a full suite of solutions on the fully operational Doha Metro that will span across Hamad International Airport, Lusail City, Al Wakra, Education City and the old district.

The initial preview service of the first section of Phase One of the Doha Metro Project was successfully launched by Qatar Railways Company in May last year.

The first section runs for 21.5 km and has 13 stations, linking Al Qassar in the north of Doha to Al Wakra in the south. It represented almost two-thirds of the entire Red Line, which spans a total distance of 40km and features 18 stations.

The second successful preview service was the Gold Line, covering 11 stations, including Ras Bu Abboud, National Museum, Sport City and interchange station, Msheireb.

In December last year, the Green Line, which runs from Al Mansoura to Al Riffa, entered into revenue service, said the statement from Thales.

The line includes 11 stations in total, two interchange stations that coincide with the Red Line (at Al Mansoura and Msheireb) and the Gold Line at Msheireb.

The Green Line runs for 22.5 km, and connects the new Education City to the centre of Doha. The two remaining sections of the Red Line, linking Lusail and HIA airport, were also opened to the public on the same day which marked the completion of the Phase One of Doha Metro network.

Thales said it had been supplying advanced Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling, communications and security, passenger services, a fully integrated operational control centre as well as automatic fare collection systems including ticket vending machines, access gates and transaction management systems to Qatar Rail for the Doha Metro project.

The Doha Metro will have a total operational length of 76 km, with 84% underground, 14% elevated and 2% at grade, and feature 37 stations across three lines – Red, Green and Gold.
75 trainsets will utilise the Doha Metro network with an additional 35 ordered in October 2018 for future lines.

Thales brings its cutting-edge technology solutions for the Doha Metro project, which will significantly enhance urban mobility and uphold the highest standards of environmental sustainability, said its top official.

"An efficient metro is essential for the commercial success and growth of any great city. Being part of this consortium, at the heart of one of the most ambitious infrastructure development programmes in the world, is a significant achievement for Thales’ operations in the country," remarked its Country Director in Qatar Frédéric Sallet.

Thales, he stated, has been present in Qatar for over 35 years and provides its customers with technologically advanced solutions in the aerospace, transportation, defence and security domains.

"Qatar Rail and our partners in the consortium are truly transforming urban mobility in the country. The programme fulfils the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and Thales is committed to continue supporting the State of Qatar in its future goals for smart mobility and urban transportation," he added.

Along with the Doha Metro project, Thales is also providing a fully integrated solution for supervision, telecommunication, security and fare collection systems for the new Lusail Tram Project in Qatar.

Once completed, the new tramway will connect into the metro network to provide Doha with a global standard public transportation network.-TradeArabia News Service