Blitz Bureau
Etihad Rail has unveiled the first high-speed, all-electric passenger train that will connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai. State news agency WAM said the super-quick passenger service will significantly slash travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and be a key factor in the country’s economic growth. It will allow commuters to travel between the two emirates in just 30 minutes.
At present people travelling between the two emirates face lot of challenges and the available options are expensive, not environmentally friendly, and very time-consuming. The rail will facilitate free flow between the cities. A press conference addressed by Etihad Rail said the train will run at 350kmph and will cover six strategically located stations at Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Zayed Airport, close to Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai, and the Jaddaf area of Dubai.
Besides this state-of-the-art transport option, Etihad Rail will also be rolling out a regular passenger train. The fast-speed train and its related infrastructure will be built after concluding tenders. As of now, there is no estimated time for when it could be ready, said Mohammed Al Shehhi, chief projects officer at Etihad Rail. This project is expected to add Dh145 billion to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the next 50 years.
By comparison, the regular passenger train will eventually travel throughout the UAE towards the border with Oman, passing through Mezeira’a, along Liwa Desert and its famous oasis. There will also be stations in Sharjah and Fujairah, and it will extend to the wider GCC, once the GCC Railway is operational, according to Khaleej Times.
The regular passenger train will travel at 200kmph, and can accommodate up to 400 passengers. It has the same rail as the cargo trains, and will have four stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Even though the train is fully equipped and ready, the spokesperson said it has not yet been revealed when it will start operations.
