QATARI Diar Vinci Construction (QDVC), which is carrying out construction of the four-line light rail network in the new Qatari city of Lusail, has awarded Thales a contract to deliver an integrated supervision, telecommunications, security and automatic fare collection system for the network.
Thales’ integrated solution will provide real-time passenger information, contactless ticketing, passenger security systems and supervision. The contract also includes maintenance services and logistical support.
Lusail’s four-line light rail network, which will cover 32km and serve 37 stations, will form the backbone of public transport in the new city located 23km north of Doha and which is expected to house 260,000 people. The network comprises 22.7km of at-grade and elevated railway and 10.4km of cut-and-cover construction, plus 10 underground and 26 surface stations.
QDVC secured all three construction contracts for the network beginning with two initial contracts signed in 2007 and 2012. This involved construction of 7km of tunnel, seven underground and four at-grades stations. QDVC subsequently secured a €2bn design-build contract for the remainder of the network in a consortium with Alstom in June 2014.
This contract encompasses construction of the remaining 25 stations, the depot, architectural and electro-mechanical works and project management. Alstom will supply 35 LRVs, and provide catenary-free electrification, power supply, track, signalling, telecommunications and train control for its €750m share of the contract.
The LRT network will connect with both Qatar’s national railway network and the Doha metro, which is now under construction. The first line is expected to open in 2018 followed by the remaining three lines in 2020.
