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 important section within the Etihad Rail mission, one of the bold rail networks on this planet, laying the groundwork for full passenger operations by 2026.
Sheikh Mohammed’s journey and the nationwide imaginative and prescient
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared images on X of his journey aboard the Etihad Rail passenger prepare between Dubai and Fujairah, calling it a memorable journey. He was welcomed by a delegation from Etihad Rail led by Chief Enterprise Assist Officer Saeed AlAhbabi, together with a number of senior firm executives. Through the go to, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the mission’s progress and key development milestones. Talking about Etihad Rail, he stated:“Etihad Rail is a crucial financial artery that helps the UAE’s journey to the longer term. 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 important infrastructure initiatives, 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 prolong outward to neighbouring international locations. 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 japanese coast. The western part connects to Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat, whereas the japanese extension hyperlinks Oman by Al Ain. It traverses very important strategic places together with:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Al Ain
- Ruwais
- Al Mirfa
- Al Dhaid
- Ghuweifat
- Sohar (Oman, through the Hafeet Rail mission)
The railway system is being inbuilt two phases:
- Part One, inaugurated in 2016, is freight-focused and at the moment 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 can present a quick, dependable, and sustainable different to highway 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 4 main stations: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Every prepare can be able to accommodating as much as 400 passengers, with annual ridership anticipated to succeed in 36.5 million by 2030. The design emphasizes passenger consolation and effectivity, promising decreased journey occasions and improved entry throughout the nation. As a part of the UAE’s broader purpose to attain web zero emissions by 2050, the rail system is constructed with sustainability at its core, providing a inexperienced different to highway transport and serving to to scale back the nation’s carbon footprint.The passenger service can also be anticipated to enhance day by 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 initiatives that propel the progress of our nation.” He emphasised Sheikh Mohammed’s integral function within the mission’s evolution, from its inclusion within the “Tasks of the 50” initiative in 2021 to the latest inauguration of the nationwide freight community in 2023:“Right this moment, we stand on the cusp of a transformative period within the UAE’s transportation panorama and take immense pleasure in and deeply admire the help we now have obtained for this nationwide mission,” he stated, 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 initiatives 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, using the tram and interesting straight with commuters to evaluate public transport providers firsthand. This follows an analogous go to in 2023, when he quietly rode the Dubai Metro. Collectively, These visits exemplify his hands-on method to management and governance, reflecting a well-recognized and constant dedication to staying linked with developments on the bottom.
