• Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Etihad Rail. All photos: @MaktoumMohammed via Twitter
    Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Etihad Rail. All photos: @MaktoumMohammed via Twitter
  • Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed. The first railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is now complete, the authorities said on Tuesday.
    Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed. The first railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is now complete, the authorities said on Tuesday.
  • Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed. The new rail line stretches for 256 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
    Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed. The new rail line stretches for 256 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
  • Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed of Etihad Rail. The segment of line is a key part of Etihad Rail's network that will carry passengers and freight between the emirates and eventually across the country.
    Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed of Etihad Rail. The segment of line is a key part of Etihad Rail's network that will carry passengers and freight between the emirates and eventually across the country.
  • Railroad workers of Etihad Rail pictured during a tour by The National in January 2022. Victor Besa / The National
    Railroad workers of Etihad Rail pictured during a tour by The National in January 2022. Victor Besa / The National
  • Railroad workers preparing tracks at the depot. Victor Besa / The National
    Railroad workers preparing tracks at the depot. Victor Besa / The National
  • The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction near the MAG 5 Boulevard area in Dubai. Victor Besa / The Nationalr
    The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction near the MAG 5 Boulevard area in Dubai. Victor Besa / The Nationalr
  • Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib area. Victor Besa / The National
    Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib area. Victor Besa / The National
  • One day soon passenger services will run along this line. Victor Besa / The National
    One day soon passenger services will run along this line. Victor Besa / The National
  • One day soon passenger services will run along this line. Victor Besa / The National
    One day soon passenger services will run along this line. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

Etihad Rail: tracks between Abu Dhabi and Dubai now linked

Key part of the project stretches 256 kilometres between both emirates

The National

March 01, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: Abu Dhabi to Dubai railway - what is it like to ride on Etihad Rail?

Construction of the railway line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has been completed, authorities said on Tuesday.

The line stretches for 256 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

About 13,300 workers toiled for more than 47 million hours to make it happen.

The segment of line is a key part of Etihad Rail's network that will carry passengers and freight between the emirates and, eventually, across the country.

A launch date for services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has not been announced yet.

News of the completion was announced by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Etihad Rail.

“The completion of the main railway of the 'UAE National Rail Network' project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi represents an important pivotal phase that shows the great benefits of this national project in linking all the emirates of the country and enhancing the transportation process between industrial and economic centers, and facilitating transportation within the UAE," said Sheikh Maktoum.

Sheikh Theyab said: “The completion of the main railway will enhance the strategic position of the project at the transport and infrastructure levels, and contributes to the promotion of sustainable development in the UAE, and the consolidation of its position to remain in the first ranks at the regional and global levels.”

Etihad Rail released the first images of what the UAE’s new passenger trains will look like in January.

The silver and grey carriages will travel at speeds up to 200kph and can carry about 400 people, linking 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the north when fully complete.

A launch date for passenger services has not been revealed but the announced in December of the service marked a key moment for Etihad Rail since its establishment in 2009.

Stage one – a freight service linking the gas fields at Shah and Habshan to Ruwais – opened in 2016, while stage two joins Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast in a line running for about 1,200km.

The passenger and freight service will run on the stage two line and it is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by 2030. Additions to the route are expected.

The Etihad Rail route - in pictures

  • 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
    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.
    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.
    Work on the railway at Saih Shuaib.
  • Etihad Rail workers on a railroad overpass along the E77 and E611 highway junction in Dubai.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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 Abu Dhabi to Dubai line is central to the project.
  • The train driver takes the diesel inspection line down the tracks.
    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.
    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.
    Newly laid tracks at the Dubai South area.
  • Railroad workers preparing tracks.
    Railroad workers preparing tracks.
  • An Etihad Rail worker on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai line.
    An Etihad Rail worker on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai line.
  • An Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib.
    An Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib.
  • Passengers will also be able to use park and rides.
    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.
    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.
    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 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.
    The rail track snakes through the desert.
  • An Etihad Rail employee on the inspection line.
    An Etihad Rail employee on the inspection line.
  • Three Etihad Rail workers take a rest, with the inspection train on right.
    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.
    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.
    The passenger service is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

England's Ashes squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. 

The biog

DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year

TWISTERS

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

Second ODI

England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)

England win by 86 runs

Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley 

Tomorrow 2021
Profile box

Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D 
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India

The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta

While you're here
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyveGeo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abdulaziz%20bin%20Redha%2C%20Dr%20Samsurin%20Welch%2C%20Eva%20Morales%20and%20Dr%20Harjit%20Singh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECambridge%20and%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESustainability%20%26amp%3B%20Environment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%20plus%20undisclosed%20grant%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVenture%20capital%20and%20government%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Getting%20there
%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Updated: March 02, 2022, 1:42 PM
Abu DhabiEtihad RailDubaiRailways