A high-speed passenger rail service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is set to become a reality, it was announced on Thursday.
Detailing the plans, Abu Dhabi Media Office said the new line from Etihad Rail would cut the journey time between the two emirates to 30 minutes.
Trains will run at up to 350kph on a route that will pass through "key destinations and tourist attractions".
The new high-speed electrified line will feature six stations at Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Zayed Airport, close to Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai and Jaddaf, near Dubai Creek, Etihad Rail said.
Construction has yet to start and a date for the launch of services was not revealed but tenders for contracts have been issued and network designs approved, Etihad Rail said.
Thursday's announcement at Al Faya Depot in Abu Dhabi was witnessed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
The project reflects the nation's vision to advance national infrastructure and elevate mobility services to the highest standards, state news agency Wam reported Sheikh Khaled as saying. He added that the high-speed trains would bolster the UAE’s global competitiveness, support sustainable development and solidify the nation’s position as a global model for progress.
The project will transform the daily commute between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to enhance the lives of citizens, residents and tourists, Sheikh Hamdan said.
Sebastien Mangeant, executive director for high speed at Etihad Rail, told The National that people could expect a high-frequency service to enable commuters to reach their destination safer, faster and avoiding driving for long periods.
“This is really the main appeal of this and ... of course the safety of the rail, which you can't beat," he said. "And the support for tourism.”
Designs of the stations and their precise locations have yet to be revealed but more areas than those outlined on Thursday could be served. “It's not the end of the adventure,” said Mr Mangeant. “It's just a phase one."
He said a typical high-speed train can carry 400 passengers but this could go as high as 600 depending on the stock which has not yet been selected.
The high-speed project is separate from the previously announced Etihad Rail passenger service, in which trains will travel at 200kph carrying up to 400 passengers when the service is launched. That regular service also uses the same network as the UAE’s freight trains.
It has yet to be disclosed whether the high-speed line will be integrated with the regular Etihad Rail line, which will use diesel locomotives.
Mr Mangeant said the high-speed line is “not a stand-alone project in itself” and “you don't want to arrive in the middle of nowhere and then have no link”. While both can be integrated in certain ways, “they are different animals”.
“We don't know yet,” he said. “We're not announcing anything right now.” But he did say a considerable amount of work was being done to ensure passengers had a seamless experience. “We're taking care of this,” he added.
It has yet known how much fares will cost. Nor was a cost for the construction of the line disclosed – high-speed rail networks tend to be significantly more expensive than regular lines. However, they reduce travel times and also lead to less congestion and lower emissions.
Currently, the only way of travelling between the emirates is by car or bus.
“We're not announcing anything such as planning and cost right now,” Mr Mangeant said.
According to the International Railway Journal, the cost of high-speed lines in Europe designed for operation at 300kph or faster is estimated to be $25 million-$39 million per km and as high as $52 million per km in California. In other countries it can be more cost effective.
The project will also relieve pressure on busy UAE roads and has the potential to transform transport, commerce, tourism and even property prices across both emirates. Officials say the high-speed train is expected to contribute Dh145 billion ($40 billion) to the UAE's GDP in the next five decades.
First passenger stations
Also announced on Thursday were the first four passenger stations on the regular line to be built in the UAE, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. Two in Sharjah and Fujairah had already been announced.
The stations will integrate with Metro and bus lines, and be equipped with business-class lounges, shops and family-friendly amenities. A model of a station was on display at Al Faya Depot showing a distinctive concrete facade.
“This is the look and feel of the conventional stations," said Mr Mangeant. "The model is your typical station look and feel.”
Also on display was a new passenger train, which is expected to be one that carries people across the UAE when the regular service is launched.
Inside the feel is slick and sleek, with three classes including a separate business-class section. Walking through the train, Mr Mangeant was inspired by the scale of the project. “It's a dream come true," he said.
The network
The main Etihad Rail passenger network will link 11 cities and regions across the country. No date has been confirmed for when the UAE-wide passenger service will start.
Etihad Rail has previously announced travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai on the regular line will take 57 minutes, while a journey from the capital to Fujairah will take 105 minutes. Officials have said they expect more than 36 million people a year to be using the service by 2030.
Etihad Rail’s freight network is already up and running.
Trains to Oman
A railway connecting the UAE with Oman is also planned. Hafeet Rail, a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company, is developing the project.
The network will connect Sohar, via Sohar Port, to Abu Dhabi. Trains are estimated to take 1 hour 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Sohar, and only 47 minutes from Al Ain to Sohar.
A start date for this service has also yet to be announced.
The Etihad Rail network - in pictures
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Etihad Rail's freight network is now operational. It can transport 60 million tonnes of goods a year. All photos: Etihad Rail -
The new freight service has 38 locomotives -
The freight trains will run up to 120kph, with each locomotive operating at 4,500 horsepower -
The locomotives pull a total of 1,000 wagons, transporting goods ranging from shipping containers to industrial material -
The tracks cross the UAE and feature 593 bridges -
The network will contribute Dh200 billion ($54.4 billion) to the UAE economy and save Dh8 billion in road maintenance costs -
The project also aims to reduce carbon emissions from the road transport sector by 21 per cent by 2050, boosting the country's efforts to become net zero
