Doha: Msheireb Properties has launched the Msheireb Tram yesterday, which interconnects all of Msheireb, making it easier for visitors to move from one spot to the other making the city a truly walkable and environment friendly city.

With 9 stations, visitors, residents, and tenants can find a tram car on the loop every six minutes, with a 400-meter hop-on/hop-off zone along the single 2 km, closed-loop track system.

The modern high-tech streetcar also includes many advanced features making it a convenient and safe method of transportation for passengers, such as: level boarding at all stations; a hop-on-hop-off service in Wadi Msheireb area; Virtual Tram Detection and tram priority at the traffic signals, tram arrival signs in real-time on the trams and at the passenger stations, on-board CCTV, and on-board Wi-Fi.

The Msheireb Tram also includes a unique open-air feature allowing it to be operated as an open-air car by removing the glass panels.

Manufactured by the US-based TIG/m, LLC, Msheireb Tram adopts the latest in eco-friendly transportation technology with options and conveniences that makes it also an accessible method of commuting within the downtown area for people with special needs.

The self-powered environmentally friendly tramway depot is Platinum LEED certified. It is made up of three one-deck, high-tech, electric streetcars, which are fully air-conditioned, incorporating special light-filtering glass panels which prevent over 90% of the heat from sunlight.

Ali Al Kuwari, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Msheireb Properties said: “It is a great way to end a year full of success, with the launch of the Msheireb Tram. We hope that this sustainable way of commuting will encourage more people to leave their cars behind. The tramway is very user friendly, cost effective, suitable for everyone, and I am confident that our visitors and residents will find it very convenient.”

Msheireb Tram links all areas of Msheireb Downtown Doha within 18 minutes, with a station at the Central Msheireb Metro Station, where everyone can access Qatar Rail’s all three operating metro lines.

The MDD trams run on standard gauge track (1,435 mm) and are custom designed and handcrafted to the highest standards of excellence while adhering to European Standards for Tramway Safety.

Msheireb Tram goes through nine stations; Sahat Al Nakheel Station, Wadi Msheireb Station, Galleria Station, Msheireb Prayer Station, Heritage Quarter Station, Al Baraha Station, Sahat Al Masjid Station, Al Kahraba Street Station, and Al Mariah Street Station giving everyone multiple points of access to the tramway.

Msheireb Properties is a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company’s name, Msheireb, means ‘a place to drink water’ and is the historical name of the downtown area of Doha.

Msheireb Downtown Doha is the world’s smartest and most sustainable city district and the first sustainable downtown regeneration project worldwide.