Dubai Metro Blue line and Etihad rail passenger station, two significant projects in the transportation sector of Dubai are stepping up their effort to develop sustainable, cutting edge mobility. Both of the projects holds a vital impact on the urban landscape of UAE, improving transit and connection facilities in the cities.
The highly anticipated Dubai’s metro blue line is a major development in the public transportation system of the UAE. $4.9 billion transportation system investment of Dubai with an extension of 30 kilometers adding up to 14 new stations to the city’s pre-existing metro system. Designed with innovative oval-shaped architecture, the stations will offer a modern aesthetic that complements Dubai’s futuristic urban vision. On Tuesday, at the Global Rail Conference, a model of one such station was displayed at the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) stand. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, estimated one million people have been projected to live within the service of Blue Line, this supports the Urban Master Plan 2040 of Dubai, which focuses on improving accessibility and shorten commute times for the residents and visitors.
Dubai Metro Blue line aims to connect the densely populated and commercially important areas and locations including Bur Dubai, Deira, and Expo City, to the heart of the city. Passing through 1300 meter viaduct, it will be the first metro line route crossing Dubai Creek. Approximately, 15.5 kms of the route will run underground minimizing the chances of environmental disruptions. Upon completion, Dubai’s metro network will span a total of 131 kilometers, serving 78 stations and handling millions of passengers annually.
Simultaneously, the Etihad Rail passenger station is set to become a central hub for travelers in the UAE. At the first-ever Global Rail conference in Abu Dhabi, a top official confirmed that a new passenger station of the Etihad Rail will be located in Fujairah’s Sakamkam area. The project promises to provide connections to Saudi Arabia between major cities Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. “We are connecting 11 cities and regions,” said Adhraa Almansoori, director of public policy and sustainability at Etihad Rail. “We have already announced two locations of the passenger stations. The first one is going to be at Sakam kam in Fujairah and the second one is going to be in Sharjah, University City.” When the design was revealed in October 2024 it claimed to have top-notch facilities for travelers and focusing on sustainability and comfort. From comfortable lounges to smart ticketing systems, the station will cater to the needs of both regional travelers and tourists. While providing more briefings on the project she said: “The passenger network will utilize the same infrastructure as the freight trains network,” she said. “The maximum speed of our passenger trains will be 200 km per hours and by the year 2030, we are hoping to transport 36 million passengers.”
No exact time was announced for when the project will starts its operation. “That will be announced when the time is right,” she said. “We are currently in discussions with multiple manufacturers for our passenger locomotives so that we ensure the sustainability and resilience of our suppliers.”
The Etihad Rail will be connecting seven emirate and eleven cities from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah and beyond. The UAE is also the first Gulf country to have announced the rail connection to its neighboring countries.
