The Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has seized the opportunity presented by the Arab Cup, which is considered as a model for the 2022 World Cup, to build the expertise and the know-how of its Qatari personnel.
Qatari staff were assigned to the stations under the Silver Commander Team, which is responsible for following up on the movement of fans at the stations during match days.
This would enable the staff to gain experience in crowd management and operations during major events and deal with different scenarios expected to occur during sports tournaments that have a high public turnout.
In this regard, engineer Khaled al-Sulaiti from Qatar Rail’s Operation and Maintenance section said: “During this tournament, the Doha Metro working hours were extended, and this requires a number of key operational preparations, an increase in the number of the staff at the stations, and deployment of the Silver Commander Team who is responsible for facilitating fan flow at the stations, looking after security and safety, and provide guidance to the public at the stations.”
“These challenges help us in gaining experience and have a better understanding of nature of metro operations during the upcoming FIFA World Cup,” he added.
Engineer Omar al-Kuwari, also from the Operation and Maintenance section, said: “It is an important experience for us, not only on a professional level but on a personal level as well.”
“We are proud to have an active role in these tournaments and supporting Qatar efforts in hosting international sports tournaments and events,” he added.
As part of the operational preparations for the tournament, Qatar Rail has released a guide to the stadiums: a digital guide that provides information on how to reach the stadiums by metro.
The guide is based on the match schedule.
Abdulaziz al-Heidous from Qatar Rail’s Service Delivery Department shared his experience on this: “Technology solutions are the easiest way to educate our customers where they can easily get the information they need.”
“Users can get a network map, stadium locations, accompanying services (Metrolink and MetroExpress) and the (Park & Ride) facilities locations around metro stations,” he said.
Qatar Rail is also keen to maintain the highest standards of sustainability during major events.
In this regard, sustainability and environmental specialist Maryam al-Sayeri said: “Sustainability is a key component in the Doha Metro network.”
“We carry out periodic reviews to ensure that our operations comply with the highest sustainability standards, especially during major events such as the Arab Cup tournament, where the stations witness a high public turnout and the operational working hours are extended,” she explained.
In addition, several Qatar Rail’s employees were nominated in the “Tournament Transport Co-ordination Centre” (TTCC), which brings together all transportation operators in the tournament.
Sharing his experience at the TTCC, engineer Mohamed al-Shibani said: “The Doha Metro is part of the integrated transportation system for the Arab Cup.”
“We ensure effective communication with our transport partners in this system to ensure the transport operations are smoothly running during the tournament,” he added.
Qatar Rail has a representation in the National Command Centre (NCC) to facilitate communication and co-operation between the various entities involved in the tournament.
Engineer Fahad al-Jufairi said: “We act as the link between the NCC and the Doha Metro Integrated Control Centre (ICC).”
“Our role mainly revolves around monitoring the performance of the Doha Metro, the flow of crowds, daily reporting, communicating with the ICC at the Doha Metro, and providing technical support when needed,” he elaborated.
Qatar Rail ensures efforts to develop Qatari capabilities, dedicating resources and providing development opportunities through staff training and hands-on experience in various fields.
National talents are always encouraged to have a key contribution in company projects, and they go through a full career development programme upon joining the company.
This would enable the staff to gain experience in crowd management and operations during major events and deal with different scenarios expected to occur during sports tournaments that have a high public turnout.
In this regard, engineer Khaled al-Sulaiti from Qatar Rail’s Operation and Maintenance section said: “During this tournament, the Doha Metro working hours were extended, and this requires a number of key operational preparations, an increase in the number of the staff at the stations, and deployment of the Silver Commander Team who is responsible for facilitating fan flow at the stations, looking after security and safety, and provide guidance to the public at the stations.”
“These challenges help us in gaining experience and have a better understanding of nature of metro operations during the upcoming FIFA World Cup,” he added.
Engineer Omar al-Kuwari, also from the Operation and Maintenance section, said: “It is an important experience for us, not only on a professional level but on a personal level as well.”
“We are proud to have an active role in these tournaments and supporting Qatar efforts in hosting international sports tournaments and events,” he added.
As part of the operational preparations for the tournament, Qatar Rail has released a guide to the stadiums: a digital guide that provides information on how to reach the stadiums by metro.
The guide is based on the match schedule.
Abdulaziz al-Heidous from Qatar Rail’s Service Delivery Department shared his experience on this: “Technology solutions are the easiest way to educate our customers where they can easily get the information they need.”
“Users can get a network map, stadium locations, accompanying services (Metrolink and MetroExpress) and the (Park & Ride) facilities locations around metro stations,” he said.
Qatar Rail is also keen to maintain the highest standards of sustainability during major events.
In this regard, sustainability and environmental specialist Maryam al-Sayeri said: “Sustainability is a key component in the Doha Metro network.”
“We carry out periodic reviews to ensure that our operations comply with the highest sustainability standards, especially during major events such as the Arab Cup tournament, where the stations witness a high public turnout and the operational working hours are extended,” she explained.
In addition, several Qatar Rail’s employees were nominated in the “Tournament Transport Co-ordination Centre” (TTCC), which brings together all transportation operators in the tournament.
Sharing his experience at the TTCC, engineer Mohamed al-Shibani said: “The Doha Metro is part of the integrated transportation system for the Arab Cup.”
“We ensure effective communication with our transport partners in this system to ensure the transport operations are smoothly running during the tournament,” he added.
Qatar Rail has a representation in the National Command Centre (NCC) to facilitate communication and co-operation between the various entities involved in the tournament.
Engineer Fahad al-Jufairi said: “We act as the link between the NCC and the Doha Metro Integrated Control Centre (ICC).”
“Our role mainly revolves around monitoring the performance of the Doha Metro, the flow of crowds, daily reporting, communicating with the ICC at the Doha Metro, and providing technical support when needed,” he elaborated.
Qatar Rail ensures efforts to develop Qatari capabilities, dedicating resources and providing development opportunities through staff training and hands-on experience in various fields.
National talents are always encouraged to have a key contribution in company projects, and they go through a full career development programme upon joining the company.