Doha, Qatar – The first metro service ever has opened to the public in Qatar’s capital, Doha, on Wednesday, as the Gulf country readies for the 2022 football World Cup.

Doha residents turned out to enjoy a first ride on the metro, the city’s first underground transport network which has been eagerly anticipated by many.

“I’m very excited because this is like a lot of comfort for us, especially for people who work in West Bay,” Sahana Wasudeva, an auditor from India, told Al Jazeera at al-Wakra station.

In a soft launch of the service, most of the Doha Metro Red Line is now operational, with 13 stations open – starting at al-Qassar, running through Doha’s business district, along the coast then south to the city of al-Wakrah – 8am to 11pm, Sunday to Thursday.

When fully operational, the Red Line will run 40km from al-Wakra in the south to Lusail City in the north. It will also connect Hamad International Airport to the capital’s downtown.

Three lines are expected to be fully operational in 2020, the Red, Green and Gold lines. A blue line is planned, as is a tram network in Lusail City and a long distance rail network connecting various other cities in Qatar.