In a major step towards reshaping the UAE’s transportation panorama, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, travelled aboard a passenger prepare between Dubai and Fujairah. This symbolic journey marks a vital section within the Etihad Rail mission, probably the most formidable rail networks on the planet, laying the groundwork for full passenger operations by 2026.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared pictures on X of his journey aboard the Etihad Rail passenger prepare between Dubai and Fujairah, calling it a memorable trip. He was welcomed by a delegation from Etihad Rail led by Chief Enterprise Help Officer Saeed AlAhbabi, together with a number of senior firm executives. In the course of the go to, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the mission’s progress and key building milestones. Talking about Etihad Rail, he mentioned:“Etihad Rail is a crucial financial artery that helps the UAE’s journey to the long run. It’s a key pillar in our imaginative and prescient to construct an built-in transport community that strengthens the UAE’s place as a number one logistics hub, whereas facilitating the motion of individuals and items.”He described it as one of many nation’s most vital infrastructure tasks, with far-reaching financial, social, and developmental advantages that improve connectivity and help nationwide objectives. He famous that the mission displays the spirit of the Union and contributes to sustainability, integration, and high quality of life throughout all emirates. The passenger service is anticipated to start industrial operations in 2026.
Venture Scope and Community Overview
Etihad Rail is a 1,200km-long nationwide railway infrastructure mission designed to attach key areas throughout the UAE and lengthen outward to neighbouring nations. With an funding of AED 40 billion (roughly $11 billion), the community will transport each freight and passengers, linking the Gulf coast with the Indian Ocean. The community will in the end span the nation from Ghuweifat on the Saudi border to Fujairah on the jap coast. The western part connects to Saudi Arabia by way of Ghweifat, whereas the jap extension hyperlinks Oman by way of Al Ain. It traverses very important strategic areas together with:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Al Ain
- Ruwais
- Al Mirfa
- Al Dhaid
- Ghuweifat
- Sohar (Oman, by way of the Hafeet Rail mission)
The railway system is being inbuilt two phases:
- Part One, inaugurated in 2016, is freight-focused and at present facilitates the transport of granulated sulphur from Al Dhafra to Ruwais.
- Part Two, initiated in 2020, expands the community for passenger journey and extends freight connectivity, together with a key line between the
Khalifa Port freight terminal and Abu Dhabi.
The community connects industrial hubs, uncooked materials sources, ports, and main city centres. Key nodes embrace Khalifa Port, KIZAD, Jebel Ali Port, and numerous inland cities, facilitating an built-in logistics and transport framework for the UAE and past.
Passenger eail, A brand new period of mobility
Scheduled to launch industrial operations in 2026, the Etihad Rail passenger service represents a significant leap ahead in public transportation. It would present a quick, dependable, and sustainable various to street and air journey, with trains anticipated to function at speeds of as much as 200 km/hr. The passenger rail will stretch roughly 900km, connecting 11 key cities and areas throughout all seven emirates, together with:
- Al Sila
- Ghuweifat
- Ruwais
- Al Mirfa
- Abu Dhabi
- Al Dhaid
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Al Ain
Trains will initially function by way of 4 main stations: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Every prepare might be able to accommodating as much as 400 passengers, with annual ridership anticipated to achieve 36.5 million by 2030. The design emphasizes passenger consolation and effectivity, promising lowered journey occasions and improved entry throughout the nation. As a part of the UAE’s broader purpose to attain internet zero emissions by 2050, the rail system is constructed with sustainability at its core, providing a inexperienced various to street transport and serving to to cut back the nation’s carbon footprint.The passenger service can be anticipated to enhance each day mobility, increase tourism and regional growth, strengthen social ties throughout emirates, and help the UAE’s broader logistics technique.
Management dedication and strategic significance
His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, highlighted the significance of Sheikh Mohammed’s involvement, noting:“We had the honour of internet hosting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aboard a passenger prepare journey between the emirates of Dubai and Fujairah. This exemplifies the unwavering dedication of the UAE’s visionary management to help nationwide tasks that propel the progress of our nation.” He emphasised Sheikh Mohammed’s integral function within the mission’s evolution, from its inclusion within the “Initiatives of the 50” initiative in 2021 to the latest inauguration of the nationwide freight community in 2023:“Right now, we stand on the cusp of a transformative period within the UAE’s transportation panorama and take immense pleasure in and deeply respect the help now we have obtained for this nationwide mission,” he mentioned, emphasizing the mission’s function in strengthening connectivity and boosting the nation’s financial integration.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s go to to the Etihad Rail passenger prepare highlights his direct involvement in key infrastructure tasks that join all the nation and help the UAE’s growth plans.Final week, he made an unannounced go to to a Dubai Tram station, driving the tram and interesting straight with commuters to evaluate public transport providers firsthand. This follows an identical go to in 2023, when he quietly rode the Dubai Metro. Collectively, These visits exemplify his hands-on strategy to management and governance, reflecting a well-recognized and constant dedication to staying linked with developments on the bottom.
