Transport links are a vital component of choosing where to buy a property, especially in a growing city like Dubai.
With the Dubai Metro covering part of the city, the emirate is also gearing up for passenger trains with the development of Etihad Rail.
A launch date for the railway's passenger line between Dubai and Abu Dhabi has yet to be announced but, once ready, it is expected to have a major influence on where people live, work and study.
The line will pass through popular Dubai communities such as Al Furjan, Reem Mira, Arabian Ranches 2, Mudon, Damac Hills, Arabella, Town Square and Green Community East and West, and is expected to drive up prices in those areas.
"Transport links are always an advantage when looking to invest in property in any city — Dubai is no different," says Lewis Allsopp, chief executive of Allsopp & Allsopp.
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A rendering of a train to be used on the UAE’s new passenger rail service. All Photos: Etihad Rail -
Passenger cabins are spacious, allowing people to travel in comfort. -
The commercial benefits of moving cargo meant the initial focus was on freight. -
Now the focus has turned to the passenger network. -
The service will offer a reliable, safe, efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly way to travel across the region. -
Etihad Rail is working closely with the Federal Transport Authority and transport authorities throughout the country to develop existing networks to improve passenger connections. -
Eventually, population centres across the UAE will be connected to neighbouring GCC countries. -
Passenger carriages will feature sleek, well-equipped cabins. -
Work on Etihad Rail began in 2009. -
Greenhouse gases will be slashed by more than 2.2 million tonnes a year once the network is fully operational. -
The new passenger rail service is expected to significantly reduce road congestion and the number of traffic accidents.
It is too early to get precise price predictions just yet given the wide spectrum of communities that are clustered around the rail line, Mark Richards, sales director at LuxuryProperty.com, tells The National.
For residents at areas such as Jumeirah Golf Estates, the line would be more of a bonus than adding to the quality of life, while on the other hand, neighbourhoods such as Discovery Gardens and Dubai Investment Park would benefit tremendously from having a rail line, he says, adding: "that could be the factor that influences a home purchasing decision there".
"While exact percentages are tricky to talk about, it goes without saying that a community in proximity to a railway station will command premium prices because of the high levels of convenience you get from that sort of positioning," Mr Richards says.
"We aren't going to see investors cashing in on those communities until later on, though. I would expect them to hang back for a bit and really assess the positive impact of the rail line as it gets going. There is tremendous investment potential here, but ultimately it is about getting the best return for your buck."
Etihad Rail's link between Dubai and Abu Dhabi stretches for more than 250 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels.
It was announced in March that the tracks between the two emirates had joined up.
The travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is expected to be about 50 minutes, with a journey from the UAE capital to Fujairah said to take twice that time.
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Railroad workers preparing tracks at a depot in January 2022. There has been rapid progress on a new line that will eventually carry passengers. All photos: Victor Besa / The National -
The new Etihad Rail line will connect 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the north. -
Work on the railway at Saih Shuaib. -
Etihad Rail workers on a railroad overpass along the E77 and E611 highway junction in Dubai. -
The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction. -
Etihad Rail says stations will celebrate the joy of travelling and designs will speak to regional traditions. -
Some of the new stations will be built in the cities but the locations have not been yet announced. -
The Abu Dhabi to Dubai line is central to the project. -
The train driver takes the diesel inspection line down the tracks. -
The Abu Dhabi to Dubai section of the track runs parallel to the Emirates Road (E611) motorway. -
Newly laid tracks at the Dubai South area. -
Railroad workers preparing tracks. -
An Etihad Rail worker on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai line. -
An Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib. -
Passengers will also be able to use park and rides. -
Passengers can expect travel time of 50 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and about 100 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. -
Construction of the UAE-wide network is advancing rapidly with close to 70 per cent of the twin-track route complete. -
The addition of the passenger rail service marked an important moment for Etihad Rail since its establishment in 2009. -
The rail track snakes through the desert. -
An Etihad Rail employee on the inspection line. -
Three Etihad Rail workers take a rest, with the inspection train on right. -
Stage two of the project joins Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast in a line running for about 1,200km. -
The passenger service is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.
"Having an inter-emirate railway will be a massive addition to the UAE and will contribute to the population migration, growth and further development of this country," said Lynnette Sacchetto, director of data and digital Transformation at Allsopp & Allsopp.
"It will allow for residents to have the flexibility to live in one emirate and work in another which opens up many options which would not have existed before. The value and demand of property along the railway and within close proximity to the stations will also be positively affected and new developments in areas not yet developed but connected to the railway will now be viable options for developers and investors."
The railway line is expected to carry more than 36 million people each year by 2030 between 11 cities in the seven emirates. Stations will stretch from Sila near the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast.
New passenger services will operate at about 200 kilometres per hour.
“If you're arriving at the airport, you will soon be able to hop on a train rather than having to go and rent a car to get to where you want,” Tamer Salama, managing director in the GCC of French rail-equipment maker Alstom, told The National last month.
“It is much more cost-effective for residents who commute as well, as they will be saving money they would otherwise spend on the likes of fuel and Salik gate fees.”
The addition of the rail network could further support the growth of the Dubai property market, which has rebounded strongly from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the back of government initiatives, such as residency permits for retirees and remote workers, as well as the expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme and the economic boost from Expo 2020 Dubai.
Property prices have been rising across Dubai amid record transactions in recent months.
Data from consultancy CBRE showed average villa prices had risen 20.4 per cent in the past year and 1.9 per cent month-on-month in April. Total volume of transactions in Dubai's residential property market rose 43 per cent annually to 6,342 in April, the report said.
Some of the steepest price rises have been at the top end of the market. Dubai's prime property sector has boomed in the past year, with prices rising almost 60 per cent in the past 12 months.
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UAE megaprojects 2022: new developments in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates
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The Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai. It is set to open in March 2023. Getty Images -
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Phase 5 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Dubai Urban Tech District is slated to create 4,000 jobs. Photo: URB -
Nakheel, the Dubai-based master developer, has unveiled a new vision for Dubai Islands. Photo Nakheel -
Uptown Tower is a new skyscraper set to open in Dubai later this year. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Quoz Creative Zone meeting to approve the master plan. The zone is to expand on a large scale. -
The AlJurf project on the coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Courtesy IMKAN -
First look at the Mohammed Bin Rashed Library in Al Jaddaf, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi's design alludes to natural rock formations, reflecting on the its mission of engaging the public with the natural world. Photo: DCT – Abu Dhabi -
The Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences by Aldar will come with spectacular views. Photo: Aldar -
Reem Hills on Reem Island. Courtesy Q Properties -
Masaar is a 19 million square foot project in Sharjah that will include 4,000 villas and townhouses in total. Courtesy Arada -
Aldar's Saadiyat Island mixed-use development. Credit: Aldar Properties -
Al Hamra, the leading lifestyle developer and investment company in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced the launch of an exclusive freehold luxury villa project – the Falcon Island - within the award-winning Al Hamra Village residential community. Photo: Al Hamra -
Museum of The Future lights up in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Blizzard’s Bazaar, Snowflake Garden and Flurries’ Mountain are just some of the unique attractions that will welcome visitors at Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall. Wam -
The steel structure that is Al Wasl Plaza - the heart of the Expo site. Courtesy: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Groundbreaking of Meydan One Mall took place in 2017. Courtesy The Meydan Group -
A dining area at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi. The waterfront destination is was about 90 per cent complete during the early months of 2021. Courtesy: Al Barakah International Investment -
The Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi dominates the skyline out towards Marina Mall. Victor Besa / The National -
Jubail Island will eventually house 5,000 residents. -
SeaWorld AbuDhabi will include six distinct realms which tell a unified and immersive “One Ocean” story and one of the world’s largest and most progressive indoor aquariums. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Government Media Office -
Both towers of One Zaabeel in Dubai have been topped out. -
The first new hotel to have opened on Yas Island in 12 years, the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is located on Yas Bay, beside the Etihad Arena. Courtesy Hilton -
Hatta is being transformed into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: WAM -
Ciel wil be open by 2023 and is set to be the world's tallest hotel. Courtesy The First Group -
Dubai CommerCity's first phase has been launched. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Foundation work and tunnelling is being completed at the Abu Mureikha site in Abu Dhabi of the country's first traditional Hindu stone temple. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir -
An artist's illustration of the Abrahamic Family House to be built on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Edelman -
The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, opened Khor Kalba Fort and also viewed plans for a new museum. Wam -
Progress at the Dibba Fujairah Sports Club Stadium project in Al Ras, Dibba Fujairah. -
Railroad laying works for the second phase of the Etihad Rail project. Wam -
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is on track to be completed in 2025. Photo: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
