The UAE's rail project took a significant step forward on Thursday, as plans for a 30-minute high-speed train service connecting Abu Dhabi to Dubai were unveiled.
The country's largest infrastructure scheme, being led by Etihad Rail, is set to transform the nation's public transport network, greatly improve connectivity between the emirates and spur continued economic growth.
The planned Abu Dhabi to Dubai line will complement the existing Etihad Rail initiative, which will see trains run between 11 cities and regions, stretching from Al Sila to Fujairah and taking in Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid and Abu Dhabi.
Here, The National explains everything we know about the fast-developing initiative.
New high-speed route
On Thursday, Abu Dhabi Media Office said the new line from Etihad Rail would cut the journey time between the two emirates to 30 minutes. Trips between the emirates typically take at least one hour by car and longer by bus.
Trains will travel up to 350kph – in comparison with the 200kph speed of the other Etihad Rail passenger trains in the works – on a route that will pass through “key destinations and tourist attractions”.
The new high-speed electrified line will feature six stations at Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Zayed International Airport, close to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai and Jaddaf, near Dubai Creek.
Construction has yet to start and a date for the launch of services was not revealed, but tenders for contracts have been issued and network designs approved, Etihad Rail said.
Connecting the nation
The latest milestone announcement comes 12 months after Etihad Rail marked its first passenger journey.
Freight services became fully operational across the country in 2023 and, after the successful maiden passenger service in January 2024, the hope is the network will be open to the public soon.
What is Etihad Rail and where does it go?
Work on Etihad Rail began in 2009. Since 2016, two tracks spanning 264km have been in operation – with trains transporting granulated sulphur from gas fields in Shah and Habshan to an export point in Ruwais.
Every day, two trains run across the country, capable of carrying up to 22,000 tonnes of sulphur. Each can pull up to 110 wagons.
When complete, the network will connect the seven emirates to the five neighbouring GCC states.
The line will ultimately link the UAE and Saudi Arabia from Fujairah Port to Ghuwaifat, through Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port.
Etihad Rail mapped
What is already complete?
Etihad Rail celebrated a major milestone in 2023 by announcing the network was open and freight services were fully operational.
Freight trains can travel at up to 120kph and the fleet of 1,082 wagons can carry everything from shipping containers to construction materials.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the freight line.
It features a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons.
On the right track
Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will travel at up to 200kph, carrying about 400 people.
A start date for the passenger service has yet to be announced but the first station is being built in Fujairah.
Carriages will offer Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points and food and drink options to cater for everyone from families to workers and tourists.
Customers were told to expect travel times of 50 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and about 100 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.
A luxury train service is also in the works, after an agreement was reached between Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale and Etihad Rail.
This service, consisting of 15 plush carriages, is expected to cross the UAE from Fujairah down to the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi.
Travel time
In October, Etihad Rail announced the journey times for some of its main passenger routes, not including the new high-speed line.
Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai will take 57 minutes, while a trip from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on the east coast will take 105 minutes. The rail operator also said the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Al Ruwais, about 240km west of the capital, will be 70 minutes.
What about Oman?
The railway network will connect Sohar, via Sohar Port, to Abu Dhabi.
Trains are estimated to take 1 hour 40 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, and only 47 minutes from Al Ain to Sohar. A start date for the service has yet to be announced.
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Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
The five pillars of Islam
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Teaching in coronavirus times
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
MATCH INFO
Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50', Nadesan 53', Tunnicliffe 70')
Leeds United 0
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Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Mamia Al Reef, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m
Winner: Jaahiz, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m
Winner: Qanoon, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Cup Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Philosopher, Tadhg O’Shea, Salem bin Ghadayer.
54.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yassoob, Fernando Jara, Irfan Ellahi.
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23
Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3
Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2
