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Etihad Rail train to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 30 minutes

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum officially revealed the plans Supplied/Abu Dhabi Media Office
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, right, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum officially revealed the plans
  • High-speed train will hit 350km/h
  • Should ease road congestion
  • Forecast to add AED145bn to GDP

Authorities from Abu Dhabi and Dubai formally unveiled plans on Thursday for a high-speed passenger rail link that will reduce travel between the two cities to 30 minutes.

Spearheaded by Etihad Rail, the train service will reach speeds of up to 350km/h, and “pass through key strategic destinations and tourist attractions”, an Abu Dhabi media office press release said.

Earlier reports on the project put the initial two stations in Al Jaddaf, Dubai, and Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, with more stations to follow in Al-Zahiyah, Saadiyat Island and Abu Dhabi airport, although Thursday’s announcement did not confirm this.

Commuting between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which is approximately 140km depending on departure and arrival points, can only be done by car or bus currently. With increasing road congestion, especially during rush hour, the trip can take over 1.5 hours.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE deputy prime minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum both stressed that the project fits within the country’s push to enhance infrastructure, improve mobility and boost economic growth through sustainable approaches.

The rail service is predicted to add AED145 billion to the UAE’s GDP during five decades, according to the press release.

No details were given on the project’s expected cost and timeline.

Tenders for the first phase of the project were issued on January 10 with a May 7 deadline for submission.

Officials on Thursday also reviewed the ongoing development by Etihad Rail of a nationwide passenger train service that is proposed to use the existing freight network to carry people between emirates at 200km/h.

The first four stations of that network will be “strategically located” in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah and integrated with metro and bus lines, they said.

Etihad Rail runs a freight service across a 1200km network in the UAE. 

The company is also working with Hafeet Rail to build a rail link between the UAE and Oman.