Etihad Rail’s high-speed Abu Dhabi to Dubai train to be ‘game changer’ for commuters

A high-speed passenger train service to be introduced between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be a game-changer for daily commuters, cutting travel time to 30 minutes, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

According to experts, one train under Etihad Rail's project could eliminate millions of tonnes of emissions caused by drivers each year.

While the stock of train has yet to be announced, Antonios Vouloudis, senior director of sustainability and stewardship at New York University Abu Dhabi, told The National that it is estimated that a fully occupied eight-carriage train can replace more than 700 cars on the roads.

“This demonstrates the potential for Abu Dhabi’s high-speed rail initiative to significantly decrease car usage and lower transportation-related emissions,” he added.

On Thursday, Abu Dhabi Media Office said the trains would run up to 350kph on a route that will pass through “key destinations and tourist attractions”. Trips between the emirates typically take at least one hour by car and longer by bus.

The new electrified line will feature six stations at Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Zayed Airport, close to Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai and Jaddaf, near Dubai Creek, Etihad Rail said.

Shortening daily commutes

Ahmed Huzayen, a Jordanian living in Dubailand, drives for nearly four hours to and from Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi for work. He said the new rail link would be a “game-changer”.

Leaving home at 7am to ensure he arrives on time for his job, he returns as late as 8pm, leaving little time to spend with his three children during the week.

“I leave the office at 6pm and reach home around 8pm. With the train, I could be home by 7pm, giving me almost an hour to spend with my kids before they go to bed. That extra time would mean everything to me as a father,” he told The National.

Mr Huzayen, who is among thousands who make the trip between Abu Dhabi and Dubai daily, said the decision to take the train would eventually be determined by support services such as park-and-ride amenities at stations.

Paving way for more sustainable commuting habits

Experts say similar transportation initiatives have shifted commuter transport behaviours in other markets.

Dr Aseel Takshe, acting dean of the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at Canadian University Dubai, told The National that people often recognise the “potential economic and social benefits of high-speed rails, such as reduced congestion and improved regional connectivity”.

Alexander Kondrat, Middle East rail team lead at PwC, agreed, adding rail systems in Japan and Europe have “demonstrated the effectiveness of rail transport in mitigating carbon emissions”.

Japan's Shinkansen and Spain's AVE networks have also achieved emissions reductions of as much as 92 per cent compared to alternative modes of transportation, said Yury Kornitsky, Middle East and Africa principal at Kearney Advanced Mobility Institute.

Planes, trains and automobiles – which has the lowest carbon footprint?

According to the UN, the global transportation sector contributes about a quarter of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. However, not all transport sectors contribute equally and can be measured by the emissions per passenger per kilometre travelled.

Citing studies in the UK, Mr Vouloudis said domestic air travel produces about 246 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per passenger-kilometre, while diesel and petrol cars emit about 170 grams. In contrast, Eurostar trains emit only 4 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per passenger-kilometre. This represents a reduction of more than 97 per cent in emissions when switching to train travel.

“While these figures may vary by country, Abu Dhabi’s high-speed rail is expected to achieve a similar dramatic reduction in carbon emissions, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 target,” said Mr Vouloudis.

PwC highlighted that estimates show that by enabling a shift from road-based freight and passenger transport to an advanced rail network, plans by Etihad Rail the could cut road transport emissions by 21 per cent annually by 2050.

While the energy source for the electric trains on the new rail line has yet to be confirmed – Mr Kornitsky said such high-speed rail systems typically rely on electricity from overhead lines or third rails, often powered by renewable energy, and use regenerative braking to feed energy back into the grid.

“Additionally, streamlined designs minimise air resistance, and a single train can replace hundreds of car journeys, significantly reducing congestion and emissions.”