Train Times Winter 2014
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Rail Train Times Winter 2014 Contents Enabling rail transportation Introduction Page 1 around the world Qatar Rail Development Program: Progress update Page 2 Welcome to the Winter edition of Clyde & Co’s rail newsletter, Jakarta’s Airport Rail Link: Update on written by our legal experts who have a particular focus recent developments on the rail industry. In this edition, we provide updates on Page 4 developments in Doha and Jakarta and a review of the current The Tanzanian railway system: rail market in Tanzania. A big history Page 6 The Qataris have very ambitious plans to deliver a light rail system, a Further information high speed railway and a metro, which if delivered, will comprise 300km Page 8 and 98 stations. Compare this with the London Underground network which is just over 400km. Even if only part of the Qatar metro system is delivered, given the size of the population it is a very significant undertaking. The Lusail light rail system is a much more modest undertaking but is well advanced. The high speed railway is a longer term aspiration. Indonesia, with almost 240 million people, is the world’s fourth most populous country. A new link to the airport is badly needed but competing demands on the nation’s resources dictate that alternative finance sources be found. In our autumn edition of Train Times, one of our partners with 20 years’ experience in the country examined the prospects for this new rail link. In this edition, we provide an update. Finally, a look at Tanzania - a resource rich country in East Africa with aspirations to deliver transport infrastructure. Given the constraint on public sector finances, much of it is likely to be delivered using PPP structures. Our final article describes the structure of the rail sector in the country and the prospects for development. We hope that you find our newsletter informative. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised, please feel free to contact one of our experts or email us at [email protected]. Clyde & Co – A leading international law firm with over 1,500 lawyers operating over 6 continents. Qatar Rail Development Program: Progress update A significant proportion of Qatar’s infrastructure investment is currently focused on the development of a modern rail network via execution, under the control of the Qatar Rail Company (Qatar Rail), of the Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP). The QRDP consists of a two phase metro network, a light rail transit system and a long distance passenger and freight rail network. Qatar Rail has awarded USD 32 billion in contracts to date City. Thereafter, the Green Line will stop at the Qatar National with the aim of delivering one of the most sophisticated rail Library (currently under construction), turn south at Huwar networks in the Middle East region, whilst simultaneously Street and eventually cross the Hamad Medical Center before supporting national infrastructure development including turning into Musheireb. the construction of the New Doha International Airport and the New Doha Port. One of the key drivers is the provision Red Line (Coast Line) of rail services in advance of the FIFA 2022 World Cup. The Red Line will run at ground level along Al Khor Coast Road, before turning into the Qatar University campus, and During a press conference held on Monday 9 December then east along the southern boundary of the Doha Golf 2013, Qatar Rail released information relating to its plans Club. The Red Line will then descend underground as it and progress in developing Qatar’s transport system, and passes the Grand Hyatt Hotel before it stops at the Katara in particular, released route maps and a timeline for the Cultural Village. Thereafter, the Red Line is designed to run high-speed long distance line between Qatar and KSA. In this between the Qatar International Exhibition Center and article, we provide details of this progress update by reference the Intercontinental Hotel into the Dafna central business to the three distinct projects which comprise the QRDP. district, past the City Center Mall and Doha Convention Doha Metro Center. It will subsequently run along Majlis Al Taawon, parallel to the Corniche, towards Musheireb. Finally, the Qatar Rail intends to deliver an operational metro system, Red Line will run along Al Matar Street, turning east into consisting of surface level and underground line sections, the Hamad International Airport. with 37 stations, in 2019. The number of stations is set to increase to 56 by 2026. Qatar Rail has confirmed that tunnel The Doha Metro project also includes the construction of boring works (which may operate at up to 20-25 meters below the Musheireb and Education City Stations, the package ground) at four interconnected lines are presently underway, for which has been let in one “Major Stations” contract. and work has officially commenced for the set-up of metro Musheireb Station is located in the heart of Downtown stations at 20 locations. Qatar Rail has also released route Doha and is designed to be the major interchange station maps for three of the coloured metro lines. for the Red, Green and Gold lines. Education City Station will link the Green Line with the long distance passenger Gold Line (Historic Line) rail track. The Gold Line is to run from east to west initially beneath Al Waab Street, starting from the Villagio mall. The route The majority of the Phase One (Initial Network Scheme) map shows that thereafter the Gold Line will cut through Doha Metro contracts, including the main construction the residential areas of Fereej bin Mahmoud to follow contracts for the Red Line North, Red Line South, Green Al Adhwaa Street into Musheireb station and then curve Line and Major Stations, were awarded in May 2012. We south to follow Ras Abu Abboud Street past the north end understand that the Gold Line packages (underground of the Doha International Airport runway. and at-grade) are at the prequalification stage of the tender process. The second phase of this project, due for Green Line (Education Line) completion by 2026, will also include the construction of The Green Line will also run east to west and initially at a Blue Line (City Line) which is intended to connect newly ground level from the Al Rayyan Stadium before passing built residential and commercial areas of West Bay and underground below the Dukhan Highway and past Education Airport City North along the C-Ring Road. Train Times Winter 2014 2 Lusail Light Rail Transit project Conclusion The Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT) project is designed to Qatar Rail has undertaken to achieve economic viability, consist of a 30.5km track and 37 stations. The majority of social responsibility, environmental effectiveness and the track will be at grade but four of the lines include 10km operational excellence in delivering the QRDP. The of underground tunnels and a 1km section is elevated. intention is to establish a high quality and integrated Passengers will be able to transfer between the Lusail LTR public transport network that results in a shift from lines and the Doha Metro lines at the Lusail Marina/Pearl private vehicles to public transport across Qatar, whilst station. Qatar Rail’s objective is to create an integrated recognising freedom of choice in transport. In particular, transport system for the visitors, employees and residents the rail network is designed to achieve more efficient of the Lusail city. movement of people and goods, with the objective (fittingly termed “keep traffic moving”) of reducing traffic congestion, We understand that this project is at an advanced stage including heavy urban traffic and construction site traffic. with 60% of the tunnelling works and 50% of the Al Khor The rail network will offer a quick and safe mode of public Bridge works complete at present. Qatar Rail’s anticipated transport, significantly reducing private car trips and saving completion date is 2017 although it is rumoured that trains commuting time, and with the side effect of reducing traffic may start running between 3 stations as part of the first pollution and accident rates. phase in 2016. The QRDP is a manifestation of Qatar’s commitment to Long distance delivering a sustainable future for a growing economy and An important part of the QRDP’s vision is the construction an increasing population, and a continual upward surge of a long distance passenger and freight rail network in infrastructure development. The project is designed which serves two purposes: (1) the connection of densely to align with the transportation objectives contained in populated and industry heavy centres in Qatar; and (2) the Qatar National Development Framework 2012-2032 linking the 6 GCC (Gulf Corporation Council) countries and additionally, Qatar’s National Vision 2033 strategy. (Qatar, KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman) as part of the This is aimed at transforming Qatar into an advanced, wider GCC rail network. sustainable country with a high standard of living for The long distance network is to be phased in order to meet future generations with focus on the 4 “pillars” of economic, GCC commitments and domestic demands. We understand environmental, human and social development. The that Qatar Rail is currently in the process of awarding a citizens of Qatar and QRDP stakeholders alike eagerly wait design contract for the first phase of the network, namely to see how Qatar Rail will successfully deliver this leading- the mixed (passenger and freight) track connecting Doha edge rail project within the confines of an ambitious to KSA. Qatar Rail anticipates that construction will programme and how this will impact on doing business in commence in the third quarter of 2015, with completion Qatar and the daily lives of many more generally.