Etihad Rail: UAE resident among first to try passenger train; what to expect from service
Starting next year, UAE residents will be able to traverse the length and breadth of the country on the Etihad Rail. A destination marketer and member of the National Experts' Programme who recently rode the train from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah recounted the trip and shared a video of it.
Experiencing the train 'firsthand was an unforgettable milestone' and a 'powerful reminder' of how far the UAE has come in building a 'sustainable, interconnected future', said Sarah Luqman.
Sarah was part of a group that travelled from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah to attend the 5th module of the National Experts Programme (NEP). The programme is a launchpad for UAE-based specialists to play a role in the transformation of future-growth sectors and is currently in its fourth cohort.
It has been confirmed that the passenger train, once opened to the public, will take 57 minutes to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Going from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take around 100 minutes, while travelling from Abu Dhabi To Ruwais will take around 70 minutes.
In comments to her video that went viral, Sarah said: "The experience was nothing short of exceptional: seamless comfort, world-class service, and breathtaking views through the heart of the UAE. It was a powerful reminder of how far our nation has come in building a sustainable, interconnected future."
Last week, during a meeting between Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and a delegation from Etihad Rail, it was revealed that the Etihad Rail is set to launch its passenger train service in 2026.
Speed screen, comfortable seats
A video posted by Sarah gives a better glimpse into what a trip on the train looks like. Light grey comfortable seats are arranged in clusters of four, presumably in the economy compartment, with a table in between. There are luggage racks running above the seats to keep bags on it.
An earlier video posted by a content creator had revealed that approximately 400 people will fit into one passenger train — which will have business and economy class compartments.
A screen inside the train displays the route of the journey and indicates where the train is. It also shows the exact speed of the train at any given point and has information about the time and outside temperature.
Some of the snippets show a part of the train with the Adnoc Oasis branding on top of it. It is not immediately clear whether the trains will have the convenience store serving their signature food and drinks.
In January last year, Sultan Al Jaber and ADNOC's leadership team had made the first Etihad Rail passenger journey from Abu Dhabi city to Al Dhannah. There, Sultan reviewed the progress of several key ADNOC projects.
Take a look at a video of Sarah's trip on the train:
Scenery
Giving travellers a glimpse of the beauty of the country including the desert landscape and lush greenery, according to Sarah, the journey provides 'seamless comfort, world-class service, and breathtaking views through the heart of the UAE".
Earlier, engineer Kholoud Al Mazrouei had said that the biggest highlight of the train journey would be its scenery. 'You can see different views and landscapes such as the Almaha forests and the natural beauty of Fujairah. You can also see several landmarks in the UAE that you would not be able to if you are travelling by car.'
Last month, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with Etihad Rail opened a three-lane flyover to improve traffic flow on Al Yalayis Street to ensure the smooth movement of trains by 'completely separating the movement of trains from vehicles".
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