12/02/2019
*ETIHAD RAIL PLANS TO CONNECT DUBAI AND ABU DHABI BY TRAIN.*
*The 1,200km network will also feature stops in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.*
From new bus routes to ferry services, there are loads of brilliant ways to get around the UAE. And now there will soon be another, with Etihad Rail planning to link Dubai and Abu Dhabi by train.
The 1,200 kilometre track will span from the border of Saudi Arabia in the south west to the border of Oman in the north east, with additional stops in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Phase one became operational in 2016 and according to the latest update released by the developers, "significant strides" have been made towards the second stage. The third and final phase is expected to be completed by 2021.
While initially the rails are being used for freight services, the network plans to provide passenger services in the future – opening up whole new areas for staycations and day trips.
Eventually, the network will also link to other GCC countries, meaning it'd be possible to get the train to Saudi Arabia or further afield.
Etihad Rail said: "Once fully established, the passenger network will connect principal centres of population within the UAE, and subsequently other neighbouring GCC countries, offering a safer, more efficient, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly mode of transport."
It comes as another rail project – the UAE Hyperloop – announced that it is to open its first 10 kilometre stretch of its track next year.
Eventually, it is hoped that the commercial project will cut travel times between dubai and Abu Dhabi to just 12 minutes.
It will cost somewhere between $20-40 million per kilometre – but Bibop Gresta, chairman of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, says that amount can be recouped in 15 years.
Abu Dhabi's Aldar signed a deal to start working on the 150-kilometre project last year.
