There is something new chugging on the horizon for the UAE thanks to Etihad Rail.
Last year, Etihad Rail announced it would be expanding to transport passengers by 2030 with rides between Abu Dhabi and Dubai set to take only 50 minutes. It was announced last month that Etihad Rail had signed an agreement with Oman Rail to connect Abu Dhabi with Oman.
Currently, the Freight Rail service is operational and is used to transport goods and materials across the emirates, keeping heavy trucks off UAE roads. In no time at all, the railway will be transporting us across the emirates.
In fact, the Etihad Rail website claims that the construction of the UAE network is 70 percent complete. While residents of neighbouring communities have begun to hear horns sounding from nearby stations signalling progress.
The Etihad Rail has just announced that Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are now connected to the main line. This marks “significant” progress as both of those emirates are now connected to Al Ghail Dry Port.
On Wednesday September 28, there was an agreement between Etihad Rail and Oman Rail during His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi’s state visit to Oman.
It’s the news UAE residents, long-time fans of a mini break to Sohar, a weekend in Muscat or a quick jaunt to Salalah, have been waiting for. For more information on the Oman and Abu Dhabi link click here.
The Etihad Rail is now connected with Industrial City Abu Dhabi (ICAD)
The railway length is 256 kilometres and requires 47 million hours of work by 13,300 workers to be completed.
The Abu Dhabi to Dubai railway also includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels. It is part of the larger The UAE Railway Programme, which will connect everyone across the seven emirates.
The final pieces of the track were installed by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail.
The completion of the main railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is a milestone moment in the railway expansion.
The Etihad Rail route map has been shared. It highlights the current plans as well as the second phase of construction. Stage two of the route has four different tracks that will connect the emirates. Additionally, the map highlights future expansions plans that show how Dubai, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and beyond will be connected.
Another new video highlights all about the Etihad Rail projects coming in 2022. Are you ready for the future of travel?
Etihad Rail has released footage of what the passenger section of the railway will look like on Instagram. It revealed: “Traveling at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour and with a capacity of up to 400 passengers per train, the passenger can travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes… by 2030.”
Etihad Rail has also shared footage of the latest expansion on Instagram. “The construction for the network expansion in the emirates consists of a 216-kilometer railway line. The expansion works are in addition to our currently operating 264 kilometer railway track.”
Wondering what you can expect from the future railway? Etihad Rail will run from Ghuwaifat (close to Saudi Arabia) to the port of Fujairah. It will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE. The railway will reduce carbon emissions by 70 to 80 percent and will also provide more than 9,000 jobs. By 2030, the number of passengers is expected to reach 36.5 million annually.
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The future in the UAE is looking greener than ever, with new initiatives to curb the use of plastic with new tariffs for single use plastic bags and a sustainable water bottle initiative in Dubai.
We also expect a surge in eco-tourism destinations such as Al Wathba lake, which has opened a stunning campsite to explore.
Opening 2030. etihadrail.ae.
More things to look forward to
9 awesome Abu Dhabi concerts and gigs
Live music, comedy and theatre in the capital.
Read more here.
Al Dhafra Festival Abu Dhabi 2022-2023 dates revealed
Celebrate Bedouin culture with camel beauty contests, Arabian horse races, falconry and more.
Read more here.
Huge new Louvre Abu Dhabi Impressionism exhibition to open
There will be 150 impressionist paintings on display.
Read more here.
