Etihad Rail makes first passenger journey between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah


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The first passenger journey on Etihad Rail's route between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah took place on Thursday.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, was among the first passengers.

Once operational, the route, which was announced in November, will enable Adnoc workers to travel by train from Abu Dhabi to Al Dhannah, 250km west of the capital.

“The development of passenger rail services between Abu Dhabi City and Al Dhannah City aims to connect the UAE’s main centres of trade, industry, manufacturing, production, logistics and population,” said Dr Al Jaber.

“The Etihad Rail project is more than just a rail network, it will serve as a vital artery for economic growth and infrastructure development while driving decarbonisation, for the benefit of the UAE and its people.”

Etihad Rail's chief executive also commented on Thursday's journey and what it means to the UAE.

“Etihad Rail is strengthening the position that the UAE enjoys as a leading global hub within the logistics, transportation and infrastructure sectors, by providing more effective and reliable transportation solutions in line with the highest international standards and connecting cities and industries with a safe and sustainable rail network,” said Shadi Malak.

  • Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, joined Etihad Rail’s first passenger journey linking the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah. All photos: Adnoc
    Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, joined Etihad Rail’s first passenger journey linking the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah. All photos: Adnoc
  • Dr Al Jaber met with Adnoc staff as part of a tour
    Dr Al Jaber met with Adnoc staff as part of a tour
  • Once fully operational, the rail service will enable Adnoc’s staff and contractors to travel the 250km between the two cities
    Once fully operational, the rail service will enable Adnoc’s staff and contractors to travel the 250km between the two cities
  • Dr Al Jaber said the development of passenger rail services between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah aims to connect the UAE’s main centres of trade, industry, manufacturing, production, logistics and population
    Dr Al Jaber said the development of passenger rail services between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah aims to connect the UAE’s main centres of trade, industry, manufacturing, production, logistics and population
  • No date has been confirmed for the start of the UAE's passenger rail service but it was announced in 2022 that the first passenger station would be Sakamkam in Fujairah
    No date has been confirmed for the start of the UAE's passenger rail service but it was announced in 2022 that the first passenger station would be Sakamkam in Fujairah
  • Dr Al Jaber said said he was 'proud of our world-class facilities in Al Ruwais Industrial City'
    Dr Al Jaber said said he was 'proud of our world-class facilities in Al Ruwais Industrial City'
  • Dr Al Jaber meets Etihad Rail staff
    Dr Al Jaber meets Etihad Rail staff
  • Etihad Rail announced in February last year that its vast freight network was fully operational, with a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons
    Etihad Rail announced in February last year that its vast freight network was fully operational, with a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons

No date has been confirmed for when the UAE's passenger rail service will begin. But it was announced in 2022 that the first passenger station would be Sakamkam in Fujairah.

Etihad Rail announced in February last year that its vast freight network was fully operational.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the freight line.

It consists of a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons.

All aboard the passenger service

The passenger trains will travel at up to 200kph and can carry about 400 people, linking 11 cities and areas across the UAE, according to details released by Etihad Rail in 2022.

Carriages will offer Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points and food and drink options to cater for everyone from families to workers and tourists.

Customers were told to expect travel time of 50 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and about 100 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, cutting commutes significantly.

Plans for a luxury train service were also unveiled last year, the result of an agreement between Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale and Etihad Rail.

The “rail cruise” is expected to cross the UAE from Fujairah in the east down to the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi. The train will consist of 15 luxury carriages.

Tour of facility

Following the milestone journey, Dr Al Jaber also toured Adnoc's hub in Al Ruwais Industrial City

“I am proud of our world-class facilities in Al Ruwais Industrial City and the commitment and dedication of our staff, who are passionate to showcase our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation,” he said.

“Our facilities and expert workforce play a pivotal role in enhancing our nation’s status as a responsible and reliable global energy leader.”

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Rain Management

Year started: 2017

Based: Bahrain

Employees: 100-120

Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO

Everton 0

Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')

SPECS
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UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

Brief scoreline

Switzerland 0

England 0

Result: England win 6-5 on penalties

Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

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Updated: May 08, 2024, 9:04 AM