Etihad Rail revealed its first high-speed, all-electric passenger train connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with travel time expected to be 30 minutes. A regular passenger train is also planned to complement the high-speed service.
The high-speed train, capable of running at 350km/h, will stop at six stations, including Reem Island, Saadiyat, Yas Island, Zayed International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Al Jaddaf in Dubai.
Construction of the train and its infrastructure will commence after tenders are finalised. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail, stated during a media briefing in Abu Dhabi that no completion timeline is currently available.
The high-speed train is projected to contribute AED 145B to the UAE’s GDP over 50 years.
In contrast, the regular passenger train will connect the entire UAE, travelling at 200km/h and accommodating up to 400 passengers. It will extend to Oman via the GCC Railway and have stops at Sharjah, Fujairah, and Mezeira’a near Liwa Oasis.
Though the trains are fully equipped, no official launch date has been announced.