Etihad Rail is crossing milestones even as you read this.

The Etihad Rail passenger train connects the Emirates, and the latest to be added to the plans is Sharjah. Eventually, we’ll even be able to use it to travel to Oman.

In March 2024, it was also announced that a brand new Sharjah station will be constructed near the University City of Sharjah.

Etihad Rail is working steadily towards the introduction of passenger services; currently, the tracks in place offer freight services.

In fact, in January, Etihad Rail took its first passenger trip from Abu Dhabi to Al Dhannah.

Before you start looking around for tickets though, the Etihad Rail passenger service will be only be open initially to ADNOC’s staff and contractors.

Talking of tickets, ta more recent announcement was made on February 14 where an MOU was signed between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

That’s right: the RTA will be developing the ticketing and fare system for Etihad Rail, and it will be using its nol card system in order to do so.

Etihad Rail passenger train: what we know so far

The forthcoming passenger train is building up steam in the UAE and it’s going to make travel between the Emirates faster, greener and more convenient.

The Etihad Rail website says construction of the UAE’s National Rail Network is now complete with commercial operations in use.

Once open for travel, the number of passengers is expected to reach 36.5 million annually. All aboard. And the sleek look of the passenger train has been revealed.

Wondering where you can catch a ride with an Etihad Rail passenger train in the future? Here’s everything we know so far…

Here’s everything to know about the Eithad Rail passenger train:

Where will the first Etihad Rail passenger train station be built?

The first passenger train station will be built in Sakamkam, Fujairah, at the heart of Fujairah city.

Who is designing the new Etihad Rail passenger train?

The Etihad Rail passenger train is being designed by Spain’s CAF, which will manufacture, supply and provide maintenance on the trains as per European standards. Every train will seat over 400 passengers and will run up to 200 kph. There will be a variety of seating segments to choose from including first class, business class and economy.

Where will Etihad Rail travel?

The Etihad Rail passenger train will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE. It will stretch from Al Sila to Fujairah including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from Dubai to Fujairah will only take 50 minutes each in the future. Meanwhile, travelling from Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais will only take one hour and ten minutes and travelling from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take one hour and 40 minutes.

Etihad Rail will have convenient passenger services that will allow you to plan your journey between the Emirates and book your tickets. Commute times will reduce by 30 to 40 percent compared to other modes of transport.

What about the Oman Etihad Rail?

The railway network will connect Sohar in Oman to Abu Dhabi in the UAE, via Sohar Port to the UAE National Rail Network. Read more on the Oman Etihad Rail project here and find out all about this major step forward for connectivity between UAE and Oman.

How long will it take to travel from the UAE to Oman on this train?

Passenger trains will travel at a maximum speed of 200 kph. This is fast, but not at the level of some of the high-speed trains you might have experienced elsewhere in the world, from Germany to China. A bit of trivia for your next pub quiz: the world’s fastest public train is the Shanghai Maglev in China, which travels at 460 kph.

But the Oman-Etihad-Rail is fast enough to dramatically reduce travel times. Trains are estimated to take 1 hour 40 minutes to move between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, and just 47 minutes to travel from Al Ain to Sohar.

What kind of amenities will the Etihad Rail passenger train have?

The Etihad Rail passenger train will have many amenities, entertainment and comfortable seating with high levels of security and efficiency. There will be infotainment systems, charging stations, food and beverages and lots of legroom, plus, an advanced air-conditioning system.

Planned to be the height of sophistication, Etihad Rail has signed a contract with Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale to head up the project. It is thought the passenger train will have an Orient Express style.

What is Etihad Freight Rail?

The Freight Rail service is already operational and is used to transport goods and materials across the Emirates, keeping heavy trucks off UAE roads. In no time at all, the railway will be transporting us across the Emirates.

The freight trains are now operating across the UAE, with a fleet consisting of 38 locomotives and over 1,000 wagons capable of carrying a wide range of goods.

Over the summer, Etihad Rail have shared two videos with engineer Khuloud, as she showcased how freight is collected, loaded and transported along the new line.

In Episode 2, watch Engineer Khuloud’s journey as she explores the process of loading goods onto trains at Etihad Rail terminals, ensuring a smooth and timely arrival at the final destination while prioritizing safety and security procedures.#EtihadRail pic.twitter.com/Fa5GolpbF8

— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) July 1, 2024

The plans also include the development of a rail freight terminal in Al Ruways Industrial City, extending over an area of more than one million square metres, where the terminal will handle loading and unloading, as well as storage and maintenance of shipping containers.

By using rail, the time required to transport Borouge’s products will be reduced to four hours compared to 12 hours via other modes of transport.

For those wanting to book freight services, you can now do so on the Etihad Rail website. Reducing time and costs, it’s possible to use Etihad Rail to move goods around the Emirates.

How will the Etihad Rail help sustainability?

According to Etihad Rail, by 2050 the National Rail Network will reduce road transport C02 emissions by 21 percent. Confirming that one train trip will remove 300 trucks from roads around the UAE, which will improve the number of emissions and traffic on the road.

etihadrail.ae.

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