The E11 motorway, the UAE’s primary artery that links six of its seven emirates along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, was first conceived in 1968 – three years before the country’s founding. Upon consideration, that ought not to be a surprise. With the majority of its population centres straddling a single coastline, the Emirates is set up for efficient transport links in a way few other countries are. Now, with the emergence in the coming years of a passenger rail network that runs largely parallel to the E11 – and extends even further to the Emirate of Fujairah – efficient transport is set to take on an entirely new meaning for the UAE.
The newly announced crown jewel of the country’s Etihad Rail network is expected to be a high-speed line linking the two most populous cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in a jaw-dropping 30 minutes. Whereas Etihad Rail’s ordinary passenger carriages will travel at up to 200kph, the high-speed service is expected to reach 350kph – on par with some of the fastest rail services on the planet. The company is also looking at higher capacity carriages, which could carry up to 600 passengers per journey, compared to the 400 typically accommodated by similar networks elsewhere.
One of the most striking features of the rail network, however, is its penetration into the heart of urban areas. The network will feature stations at Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, but also in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Reem Island.
The need for passenger trains in the UAE is evident, and the demand is expected to grow. In recent years, traffic congestion has been an issue among residents and authorities, bringing road safety to the front of the public’s mind. The combined population of the two cities is more than 6 million people, and for many the 60-to-90-minute drive between them – whether for work, family visits or leisure – is a regular feature of UAE life.
The need for passenger trains in the UAE is evident, and the demand is expected to grow
At the same time, a recent population boom in both cities – fuelled by the country’s high economic growth rate, incomes and standard of living – has put many more cars on the road. The opening of new cultural amenities, particularly in Abu Dhabi, is also drawing in more tourists, increasing pressure on existing bus and taxi services.
As Sebastien Mangeant, executive director for high speed at Etihad Rail, told The National, the safety of rail is a significant part of the appeal. So is environmental sustainability. As the UAE moves towards its net-zero emissions goals, reducing the reliance on petrol cars will be critical.
That goes well beyond Etihad Rail. The dawn of passenger trains in the Emirates has been accompanied by a broader shift in the country towards embracing public transport. The Dubai Metro, which began operations in 2009, is gearing up for an expansion, with plans to double the number of stations and a third line scheduled to open in 2029. The emirate’s authorities have spoken of turning its urban area into a “20-minute city”, in which residents can meet their key daily needs in under half an hour without having to rely on cars.
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, water taxis, tram-like electric buses and even autonomous vehicles have become increasingly popular ways to travel. Last year, Abu Dhabi Link, the city’s on-demand bus service, marked the completion of one million passenger trips since its launch in 2020.
Mobility is a fundamental part of the UAE’s culture – from its stature as a global hub to its thriving talent ecosystem at home, the country has long been focused on building connections and getting people where they need to go. Soon, they will get there even faster.
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- Agüero 18'
- Kompany 58'
- Silva 65'
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
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Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
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Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
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The specs: 2018 Bentley Bentayga V8
Price, base: Dh853,226
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 550hp @ 6,000pm
Torque: 770Nm @ 1,960rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L / 100km
