The gleaming metro system built under the desert

By Dimitris Sideridis, CNN
5 minute read
Published 6:02 AM EDT, Wed November 3, 2021
<strong>Future track: </strong>Officials see the expanding Doha Metro as a key infrastructural component of Qatar's future plans.
Future track: Officials see the expanding Doha Metro as a key infrastructural component of Qatar's future plans.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Crucial network: </strong>The metro system was designed to be the transportation pillar of the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East and the Arab world.
Crucial network: The metro system was designed to be the transportation pillar of the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East and the Arab world.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Red, Green, Gold: </strong>Ras Bu Fontas Metro station on the Red line. The network has three lines: Red, Green and Gold.
Red, Green, Gold: Ras Bu Fontas Metro station on the Red line. The network has three lines: Red, Green and Gold.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Airport stop: </strong>The terminal station at Doha's Hamad International Airport T1 (Red line).
Airport stop: The terminal station at Doha's Hamad International Airport T1 (Red line).
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<strong>Soccer stop: </strong>Lusail stadium on the Gold line.
Soccer stop: Lusail stadium on the Gold line.
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<strong>Stadium vista: </strong>The view of Khalifa International stadium outside of the Sport City metro station on the Gold line.
Stadium vista: The view of Khalifa International stadium outside of the Sport City metro station on the Gold line.
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<strong>Walk way: </strong>A corridor connecting Al Riffa Metro Station to Mall of Qatar. Al Riffa station (Green line).
Walk way: A corridor connecting Al Riffa Metro Station to Mall of Qatar. Al Riffa station (Green line).
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Gold standard: </strong>The driverless Doha Metro system, seen here from a Gold class cabin, is one of the most advanced rail transit networks in the world.
Gold standard: The driverless Doha Metro system, seen here from a Gold class cabin, is one of the most advanced rail transit networks in the world.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Mapped out: </strong>An electronic board displays Doha's network of subway lines.
Mapped out: An electronic board displays Doha's network of subway lines.
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<strong>Daily commute: </strong>Many passengers are already using the metro's services regularly.
Daily commute: Many passengers are already using the metro's services regularly.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Train tiers: </strong>Doha's metro trains can carry up to 416 passengers, divided into three sections: Standard, Family and Gold class.
Train tiers: Doha's metro trains can carry up to 416 passengers, divided into three sections: Standard, Family and Gold class.
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<strong>Power trip: </strong>Gold class travelers can charge up their mobile phones and tablets while in transit.
Power trip: Gold class travelers can charge up their mobile phones and tablets while in transit.
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<strong>After dark: </strong>A night view of the entrance of the DECC Doha Metro station between the skyscrapers of Doha's West Bay area (on the Red line).<br />
After dark: A night view of the entrance of the DECC Doha Metro station between the skyscrapers of Doha's West Bay area (on the Red line).
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Riding the rails: </strong>In the initial stage,<strong> </strong>Doha's metro is able to carry more than 8,000 passengers per hour per direction on each line.
Riding the rails: In the initial stage, Doha's metro is able to carry more than 8,000 passengers per hour per direction on each line.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Classic design: </strong>Sport City Metro station on the Gold line. <br />
Classic design: Sport City Metro station on the Gold line.
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<strong>Light and movement: </strong>"The interior spaces create an effect of light, movement and fluidity," says Ben van Berkel, co-founder of UNStudio, a Dutch architecture firm that joined forces with the Qatar Rail Architecture Department to create the stations.
Light and movement: "The interior spaces create an effect of light, movement and fluidity," says Ben van Berkel, co-founder of UNStudio, a Dutch architecture firm that joined forces with the Qatar Rail Architecture Department to create the stations.
Dimitris Sideridis