Etihad Rail, the first passenger rail service in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), connecting Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, the country’s capital, began trial operations on June 30.
Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The first passenger train left Fujairah Station and arrived at the Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi one hour and 45 minutes later.
Etihad Rail is one of the UAE’s largest-scale infrastructure projects in recent years. Once completely operational, it will connect 11 cities and regions in the country’s seven emirates.
Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
There are 11 stations along the railway, including three large and middle-sized ones constructed by China Railway International Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd., two subsidiaries of China Railway Group Limited. The two stations in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah are currently operational, and the Al Yalayis Station in Dubai is expected to open on September 30. Together, the three stations have a total floor area of more than 20,000 square meters.
Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The passenger trains are designed to run at 200 kilometers per hour, with each accommodating about 400 people. In the future, additional stations will be gradually put into use, eventually completing the entire route.
Etihad Rail will enhance the connection among the UAE’s diverse areas, facilitating people’s daily transportation, regional coordination, industrial collaboration and urban development.
(Executive editor: Zuo Shihan)
