Etihad Rail will change travel across the emirates, providing fast, efficient, and sustainable travel across the emirates. Its passenger service will considerably reduce travel time and connect major cities.
Fast Travel Across the Emirates
Commuting will be easier, and at this speed-the top speed of the new Etihad Rail passenger trains-matching 200 km/h-they will be able to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 57 minutes as opposed to two hours regularly. The service will also help facilitate communication between Abu Dhabi and Al Ruwais in 70 minutes and Fujairah in 105 minutes. The number of passengers it is likely to manage per annum is 36.5 million, when completed.
It will interconnect 11 key cities, starting from Al Sila, Al Ruwais, going through Sharjah and Fujairah up to two initial stations in Sakamkam, Fujairah, and University City, Sharjah. This has the aim of totally covering the area to enhance accessibility and boost the region’s economy.
A Commitment to Sustainability
It is also sustainability- conscious, not just speed. It is a crucial part of the UAE’s National Rail Network, and its ultimate goal is to attain net zero carbon emissions within the transport sector. Most recently, the project has collaborated with Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and EDF Group, to incorporate a 600-kilowatt solar power plant and a 2.56 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at the Ghuweifat freight terminal. This project will generate as much as 85% of the terminal’s electricity and contribute significantly to the fulfillment of the goal of Net Zero status for the UAE by 2050.
Modern Facilities and Design
There would be 15 luxury carriages in the passenger trains which will have more stylish interiors and comfortable seating for traveling. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The exterior is reminiscent of globally high-speed trains, which is aerodynamically designed for greater performance. There are various seating classes like an airline; there are infotainment systems, charging stations, and advanced air-conditioning inside the train.
The passenger service will be constructed by CAF, a Spanish company that is internationally recognized for its railway solutions. Every train will boast more than 400 seats to provide a safe and modern journey experience.
Infrastructure Improvement
In addition to passenger service, Etihad Rail is paving the way in the construction of freight solutions. This service is currently operational and is helping decongest the roads by moving goods between emirates. With 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons in the freight service, it will take about 300 trucks off the roads for every train movement, thereby significantly contributing to the sustainability goals of the UAE.
Connectivity in the Future
Etihad Rail will stretch beyond the territories of the UAE toward eventually linking up with Oman as the Hafeet Rail project joins Sohar to Abu Dhabi. Such an expansion would further augment connectivity at the regional level, including making travel between the two countries easier and more efficient.
Etihad Rail is quite a giant leap in modernizing transport within the UAE. Indeed, a high-speed railway system that provides luxurious amenities and makes sustainability commitments will definitely be etched out in defining the future transport landscape of the region. Again, as a project to be launched, Etihad Rail will make life easier for commuters and bring significantly important contributions toward meeting the UAE’s environmental goals and economic growth.
