Etihad Rail has introduced the first high-speed, all-electric passenger train. It will connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai, reducing travel time between the two emirates to just 30 minutes. The groundbreaking announcement was made on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s transportation infrastructure.
The high-speed train, capable of traveling at 350 km/h, will operate across six stations. In Abu Dhabi, the train will pass through Reem Island, Saadiyat, Yas Island, and Zayed International Airport. In Dubai, it will connect areas near Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf. Moreover, Etihad Rail plans to introduce a regular passenger train as part of its expansive transport network.
Construction of the high-speed train and its supporting infrastructure will commence after the tender process is finalized. According to Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail, no timeline for completion has been provided yet.
This transformative project is expected to add Dh145 billion to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the next 50 years. Consequently, it underscores the long-term economic impact of this initiative.
In comparison, the regular passenger train will travel at a speed of 200 km/h. It will eventually connect the entire UAE and extend towards the Oman border. The train’s route will include stops at Mezeira’a, the Liwa Desert, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Furthermore, it will integrate with the GCC Railway network when operational. Designed to accommodate up to 400 passengers, the regular train will utilize the same rail infrastructure as the cargo trains. It will feature four key stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah.
Although the regular-speed train is fully equipped, the official launch date for its operations remains undisclosed. However, further updates are expected soon.
