Qatar inks deal with Japanese-French consortium for driverless metro project

Qatar has inked a contract with a consortium of five Japanese and French companies to build and establish its driverless, fully-automated Doha Metro project.

The companies, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Thales Group, include Kinki Sharyo Co., Mitsubishi Corporation, and Hitachi Ltd.

Project management will be in coordination with Qatar Railways Company. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will provide doors, power distribution, as well as tunnel ventilation systems.

On the other hand, 75 sets of three-car trains will be supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation and Kinki Sharyo.

Thales will provide telecommunication services, signals, the security system, and fare collections. Hitachi Ltd will be responsible for maintaining the system for 20 years after its completion.

According to data available on Argaam, the first phase of the project is expected to be fully operational by 2019 with an estimated cost of QAR 45 billion, or $12.4 billion. It will consist of four lines, or 37 stations: the Red Line North, the Red Line South, the Green Line, and the Gold Line.

The second phase, set to be completed by the year 2026, will consist of 56 stations.