UAE: Etihad Rail passenger trains to slash commute times by up to 40%

A Dh1.2 billion agreement has been signed to design, manufacture, supply and maintain the highly anticipated passenger trains for Etihad Rail. The agreement between Etihad Rail and Spain's CAF company was signed in the Sakamkam area, where the first passenger train station will be built in the heart of Fujairah city.

Under the terms of the agreement, each train will have a seating capacity of over 400 passengers, and top speeds of 200kmph. The trains will offer a "variety of seating segments".

The trains will facilitate transport across the cities of the UAE, providing passengers with a quick, efficient, safe, comfortable, and cost-saving travel experience.

The passenger train will connect 11 cities and regions in the UAE from Al Sila to Fujairah, including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Abu Dhabi. Passenger services will allow travellers to plan their journeys between the Emirates and cities of the UAE more efficiently, from booking their tickets until they reach their final destination.

They will reduce commute time by 30-40 per cent compared to other modes of transport. Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and from Dubai to Fujairah, will take 50 minutes only. Commutes from Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais will take 70 minutes only, while travelling from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 100.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail, witnessed the agreement signing. He said it is in line with the "company's commitment to completing the national and strategic project on schedule".