Etihad Rail will oversee the development and operation of the project
HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum jointly witnessed the announcement of a new high-speed train project linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai., according to WAM, the UAE National News Agency.
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.
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.
Etihad Rail will oversee the development and operation of the project, which is expected to contribute AED 145bn 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 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.
