The Hamad International Airport (HIA) may soon be accessible to Qatar residents and visitors through Doha Metro’s Red Line, it is learned.
According to several sources, Doha Metro has been conducting a series of train tests daily, going to and from the airport along the whole stretch of the Red Line.
One of them said that “it (HIA metro link) will open very soon,” although there are no official announcements yet from Qatar Rail.
“Like the HIA station, there are also ongoing train tests to and from Lusail. So we hope this station, as well as other Red Line stations, will also be accessible to many commuters in the near future.”
HIA will be accessible via the Oqba Ibn Nafie station after the Al Matar Al Qadeem station if traveling to Al Wakrah or after Free Zone station if traveling to Lusail (passengers switch trains at Oqba Ibn Nafie station for the airport).
At least 13 of the 18 Red Line stations have opened on May 8, providing commuters with a safe, reliable, and eco-friendly mode of transportation.
An Indian expatriate who was riding the metro Monday told Gulf Times that it will only take less than 10 minutes for him to reach HIA from the Al Matar Al Qadeem station, according to his estimates.
“Once the HIA metro link is open, I don’t have to book for taxis except for some instances like if it is too hot during the day (this summer). It will also be cheaper, a single journey costs only QR2,” he said.
According to Qatar Rail, each passenger will be permitted to carry two large luggage besides small bags (each must not be larger than 85cm x 60cm x 30cm in size), which can be put at dedicated areas in the train.
Residents can also take advantage of the feeder buses from Sunday to Thursday operating within 2 to 5km of Doha Metro’s selected stations, operating to and from between 6 am and 11 pm.
Residents and visitors in Qatar are also awaiting the opening of the Green Line, which connects commuters from Msheireb Downtown Doha (Central Station) to the White Palace, Hamad Hospital, Al Messila, Al Rayyan Al Qadeem, Al Shaqab, Qatar National Library, Education City, and Mall of Qatar (via Al Riffa station).
Gulf Times
29/07/2019
