Qatar hits milestone

Almost everybody is taking public transport.

Qatar's new metro network opened just in time for the 2019 Club World Cup football tournament.

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Qatar fully opened its new metro network in a major infrastructure milestone ahead of the football World Cup that Doha will host in 2022.

The railway was opened just in time for the Club World Cup football tournament that kicks off on Wednesday with organizers hoping the metro will ease the burden on the wealthy Gulf emirate’s choked roads.

The three lines link several stadia, residential areas, the airport and tourist zones.

“We were waiting for this,” said airport handling agent Anshu, as she tested the new link between Doha’s Hamad airport and the city.

“Almost everybody is taking public transport,” she said of her colleagues at the airport, which had previously only been served by expensive taxis and infrequent buses.

A single journey in the metro’s standard class, equipped with WiFi and USB charging points, costs two riyals while gold class, boasting plush armchairs and hardwood floors, costs 10 riyals.

“For now, its mostly airport staff who are interested. But if people know about it, they will come,” metro assistant Regine said.

Construction on the project began in 2013 and a 13-station preview service was launched in May this year.

The network was further tested during the Arabian Gulf Cup football tournament, which concluded on Sunday, with thousands of spectators enjoying free travel to and from stadia for that event.

More than 50 kilometers of tunnels were dug for the first phase of the ambitious project, which has seen 36 stations open to the public.