As Etihad Rail gears up to introduce its high-speed train service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, residents are filled with optimism about the new travel option, though many are waiting for key details on ticket prices and train timings.
Albarah El Khani, a Dubai resident who commutes to Abu Dhabi five days a week, spends around Dh3,000 monthly on petrol and car maintenance. The announcement of the high-speed rail sparked hope for a more efficient and cost-effective alternative. “The current travel options are expensive, time-consuming, and not eco-friendly. This rail will offer a much-needed connection between the two emirates,” he said.
Etihad Rail unveiled the UAE's first high-speed, all-electric passenger train on Thursday, designed to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 30 minutes. The service will have stations in six key locations: Reem Island, Saadiyat, Yas Island, and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, as well as Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf in Dubai. However, details about the operational start date are still awaited.
The electric train will reach speeds of 350kmph, making it one of the fastest passenger trains globally. This speed exceeds that of the TGV in France, which operates at 320kmph, and comes close to the Shanghai Transrapid’s top speed of 460kmph.
Residents like Philip Chan are curious about the possibility of transporting vehicles on the train. “If there were carriages for cars, it would greatly reduce accidents on major highways, like Sheikh Zayed Road,” he noted. Such motorail services are common in Europe and have proven popular.
For IT engineer Ronn Santos, the rail service announcement comes at a pivotal time. His wife recently secured a job in Abu Dhabi, requiring the family to relocate. “The train could ease my commute between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but its affordability and the proximity of stations will be key factors,” he said.
In addition to the high-speed train, Etihad Rail will also operate a regular-speed passenger service that travels at 200kmph, with a capacity of 400 passengers. This service will connect Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, using the same rail tracks as the freight trains.
The success of the rail network will also depend on efficient last-mile connectivity. El Khani emphasized the importance of well-connected transport options, particularly if the service is to be affordable for daily commuters.
Another concern raised by residents like Sarah, who commutes from Deira to Reem Island, is the train's operating timings. “I leave home at 5am to reach the office before 7am,” she explained. "If the train doesn't start early enough, it won’t help me."
Despite these concerns, Sarah believes the service will benefit her family in the future. “My children are in Year 11, and as they look at universities in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, this train service could make it easier for them to travel daily and still be home for dinner,” she said.
With the project still in the early stages, residents remain hopeful that the Etihad Rail service will improve connectivity and provide a viable alternative to current travel options.
