Etihad Rail: New 30-minute high-speed passenger train project to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Abu Dhabi: A high-speed train project connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in a matter of 30 minutes, travelling at speeds of up to 350km/ hour, was unveiled at the Al Faya Depot in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Run by Etihad Rail, the project will enable seamless connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, significantly reducing travel times, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.

With the blessing of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, witnessed the announcement of the project.

Etihad Rail will oversee the development and operation of the project, which is expected to contribute Dh145 billion to UAE’s GDP over the next five decades. This project is not the same as the previously announced Etihad Rail passenger service, using the same network as UAE’s freight trains.

First four passenger rail stations

On the sidelines of the high-speed train announcement, the UAE leaders also reviewed a comprehensive presentation on the UAE’s first passenger train fleet. The leaders toured a train, exploring its design and advanced features, which will provide a seamless travel experience at speeds of up to 200 km/hour.

The first four passenger rail stations, strategically located stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, will improve residents’ and visitors’ access to rail services. Moreover, the stations will be integrated with metro and bus lines, creating a ‘comprehensive and interconnected transport network.’

The stations will house business-class lounges, retail outlets and several family-friendly amenities. The station’s designs will be inspired by Emirati heritage. The cost for the construction of the line was not disclosed; however, the development of the high-speed train project has progressed with the issuance of tenders for project contracts and the approval of network designs, the Abu Dhabi Media Office has confirmed.

Subsequent phases of the project will be developed in the coming years, paving the way for its final completion. The cost of the service and when it would start is yet to be revealed.

Abu Dhabi-Dubai train project

The train route, lasting 30 minutes, will pass through ‘strategic destinations and tourist attractions’. Sheikh Khaled said this ambitious project reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to advance national infrastructure and elevate mobility services to the highest standards. “The project unlocks new horizons for comprehensive development by advancing national transportation and infrastructure and ensuring a sustainable future for current and future generations,” read Sheikh Khaled’s statement. Sheikh Hamdan said the project will transform the transport sector, further reinforcing the UAE’s growing status as a regional and international leader in adopting innovative solutions across key sectors.

He said that the project places the UAE at the forefront of innovation in railway transportation, transforming the daily commute between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to enhance the lives of citizens, residents and tourists while boosting the national economy’s global competitiveness by introducing a state-of-the-art transport system that features the latest infrastructure advancements.

Cooperation Charter

The announcement ceremony also included signing a Cooperation Charter by Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai.  The charter aims to enhance the project’s infrastructure, building on the close collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the Dubai Executive Council.