Abu Dhabi developer Aldar has signed a deal to start work on the Abu-Dhabi-Dubai Hyperloop system.
When completed, the journey between the two emirates will take just 12 minutes at a speed of 1,200 km/h.
It is hoped the first section will be in place and operational by 2020.
The new deal means Aldar will start work on Hyperloop Transportation Technologies’ (to give it its full name) XO Square Innovation Centre and a Hyperloop Visitor Centre in Aldar’s Seih Al Sdeirah landbank.
Construction is planned in several phases, starting with the Abu Dhabi to Dubai route.
There are plans to expand the system across the UAE and beyond.
More: The future of Abu Dhabi to Dubai travel
In April, 2018, HyperloopTT began construction of the first full-scale passenger and freight prototype system in Toulouse, France, and expects delivery of the first passenger capsule later this year. The capsule will be assembled and optimised in Toulouse before being used in the UAE.
“This agreement creates the basis for the first commercial Hyperloop system in the world here in the Emirates, with the goal of eventually connecting Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, Dubai, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.” said Bibop Gresta, chairman of HyperloopTT.
“With regulatory support, we hope the first section will be operational in time for Expo 2020.”
“We are delighted to be working with HyperloopTT as they look to bring one of the world’s most revolutionary transportation technologies to Abu Dhabi,” added Talal Al Dhiyebi, CEO, Aldar Properties.
“We believe that Hyperloop technology can have a major positive impact on the lives of all of those living within our communities, and we look forward to this possibility becoming a reality.”
“A forward-thinking nation like the UAE is ideal for building the most revolutionary, most efficient, and fastest transportation system in the world,” said Dirk Ahlborn, CEO of HyperloopTT.
“With this historic agreement in Abu Dhabi, we take a big step towards the world’s first commercial system.”
