Etihad Rail Updates: We have assembled a consolidated dispatch from the forefront of the passenger train, which will connect 11 hubs throughout the UAE’s seven emirates.
It is a component of a larger initiative that has goals for the future that go beyond our boundaries to include the entire GCC.
June 2, 2024: Hafeet Rail in numbers
Although the Hafeet Rail train service between Oman and the United Arab Emirates will travel through visually pleasing scenery, its premise is supported by some hard data. The first “modern cross-border train in the Arab world” will be this one. The train will cover the 238 kilometres of the route at 200 km/h (Etihad Rail’s own line is almost 900 km), reducing the time it takes to get from Sohar to Abu Dhabi to just 100 minutes.
May 10, 2024: Construction to begin on Hafeet Rail
Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment Company, the three businesses behind the Oman-UAE railway, officially agreed into an agreement to start construction after the new name, Hafeet Rail, was unveiled last month. During Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s official visit to the UAE, the USD3 billion project deal was signed, establishing a rail link between Oman and the UAE.
April 23, 2024: Introducing Hafeet Rail
Mubadala joined forces with Oman Rail and Etihad Rail a little over a year ago to build a 303km rail segment that will connect the two GCC countries. We can now tell you that the project has moved into the “getting it done” phase after collaboration agreements and contracts have been completed.
The passenger and freight rail link will go beside Jebel Hafeet and connect to the UAE’s current network in the Al Wathba area, then on to the city and port of Sohar. The route will traverse a variety of topographical features, including desert, valley, and hilly regions. The network is now known as Hafeet Rail, which was inspired by its new location.
April 3, 2024: Watch UAE’s first marine railway bridge in action
It’s wonderful enough that we will soon be able to go from one city to another by train. However, a video of the first-ever marine railway bridge that connects Khalifa Port to the Abu Dhabi peninsula has been tweeted by Etihad Rail. With the announcement that the rail network has been completed, the train is now fully functional.
The bridge, which will run parallel to a road bridge of the same length, is intended to improve the flow of goods. Just in case you’re concerned, precautions have been taken to guarantee the port’s coral reefs’ safety. Additionally, the train will cut carbon emissions from the road and transport sector by 21%.
March 8, 2024: a Sharjah commute we can all get behind
The emirate of Sharjah will get its own passenger rail station, according to Etihad Rail. which, we think, is really good news for individuals who currently commute by vehicle into and out of Dubai and live or work there.
February 15, 2024: nol-edge fee
You will be able to utilise the Nol service for travel on the Etihad Rail passenger service thanks to an agreement between the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Etihad Rail.
January 25, 2024: How to be among the first to experience the passenger train experience on Etihad Rail
Even though it’s a prototype, you can still be among the first people to see and feel what it will be like to ride the incredibly smooth Etihad Rail passenger service by boarding the amazing mechanical mock-up during Abu Dhabi’s ADQ Community Carnival, which takes place in Khalifa Park from 26 to 28 January.
October 31, 2023: Reaching new heights
The tallest building within the recognisable Etihad megaproject is visible in a video that Etihad Rail has posted. The Al Bithnah Rail Bridge in Fujairah is a feat of engineering that spans an amazing 600 metres and rises to a dizzying 40 metres. The impressive building, which took 19 months to complete, will be crucial in tying Fujairah and the rest of the UAE together.
FAQs
What is Etihad Rail?
It’s the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network for both freight and passengers (future).
Is the passenger rail service operational?
No, as of June 2024, only the freight network is operational. However, a prototype passenger train successfully completed a test run in February 2024.
What are the expected travel times on the passenger railway?
The trains will travel at a maximum speed of 200 km/h. For example, travel time between Abu Dhabi and Sohar is estimated at 1 hour and 40 minutes.
What is the capacity of the freight network?
The operational freight network can transport up to 60 million tonnes of goods annually.
Does Etihad Rail connect to other countries?
There are plans to connect the Etihad Rail mainline to a future passenger station in Sharjah, potentially enabling future cross-border travel.