Latest news with #UniversityCityofSharjah
Time Out Dubai
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Etihad Rail passenger service to launch in 2026
It's one of the most highly anticipated projects in the history of the UAE – and it looks like it's coming soon. Etihad Rail is a much-needed project which will eventually connect all seven emirates and significantly reduce travel times between the UAE's largest cities. Railway tracks are already in place across the country, but are currently only being used by freight and cargo services. However, it has been revealed that Etihad Rail's passenger service will finally be up and running in 2026. News of when Etihad Rail will be available for passengers comes following a meeting between Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region on Friday May 9. The pair discussed the completed phases, particularly those within Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, and future expansion plans to link the service with other GCC countries. Hafeet Rail, a project linking the UAE and Oman, was announced last year. Once open for travel, the number of passengers is expected to reach 36.5 million annually. While the passenger service is expected to launch in 2026, it is unclear whether or not all planned locations will be available on day one. Every train will seat over 400 passengers and will run up to 200km per hour. There will be a variety of seating segments to choose from including first class, business class and economy. Map of the Etihad Rail's route. (Credit: Etihad Rail) The 900km-long Etihad Rail passenger train network will connect 11 cities across the seven emirates in the UAE. The first passenger train station will be built in Sakamkam, Fujairah, at the heart of Fujairah city. In March 2024, it was also announced that the second passenger station will be constructed near the University City of Sharjah. The other two emirates to initially be included in the Etihad Rail passenger service will be Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It will stretch from Al Sila to Fujairah including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. As part of plans related to expanding Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, it was revealed that an Etihad Rail passenger station will be located nearby. Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from Dubai to Fujairah will only take 50 minutes each in the future on the national service. Earlier in 2025, it was revealed that a high-speed rail project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is also in the pipeline, which will reduce travel times to just 30 minutes. Looking for things to do in Dubai? 112 amazing things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list The best Saturday brunches in Dubai to try this weekend (whatever your budget) You need to try these brunches at least once Here's how to eat at 12 expensive Dubai restaurants for less Yes, even at the Burj Al Arab
Time Out Dubai
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Etihad Rail Passenger Train: Route map, dates, passenger stations and high-speed rail
Etihad Rail is a much-needed project connecting all seven emirates and, eventually, we'll even be able to get to Abu Dhabi in just 30 minutes. Following the announcement of the first four passenger station destinations and a high-speed rail project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we're getting excited about when it will be fully rolled out to the public. Currently, the tracks in place only offer freight services but eventually, a passenger service will be introduced. We just have to be patient. The forthcoming passenger train is building up steam in the UAE and it's going to make travel between the Emirates faster, greener and more convenient. Once open for travel, the number of passengers is expected to reach 36.5 million annually. All aboard. Wondering where and when you'll be able to catch a ride with an Etihad Rail passenger train? Here's everything we know so far… Etihad Rail will eventually offer a wider passenger service (Credit: Etihad Rail) Eithad Rail passenger train FAQs Where will the first Etihad Rail passenger train station be built? The first passenger train station will be built in Sakamkam, Fujairah, at the heart of Fujairah city. In March 2024, it was also announced that the second passenger station will be constructed near the University City of Sharjah. The other two emirates to initially be included in the Etihad Rail passenger service will be Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Who is designing the new Etihad Rail passenger train? The Etihad Rail passenger train is being designed by Spain's CAF, which will manufacture, supply and provide maintenance on the trains as per European standards. Every train will seat over 400 passengers and will run up to 200km per hour. There will be a variety of seating segments to choose from including first class, business class and economy. We have seen a glimpse of what the luxury cabins on board Etihad Rail might look like in a brief blink-and-you-miss-it post on social media. Etihad Rail do stress, however, that the seats seen in the video are a prototype and could be among the changes introduced before the passenger train service is finally officially launched. As for the high-speed trains, Etihad Rail are still in the planning stage so we won't know how these will look until much further down the line. Where will Etihad Rail travel? Map of Etihad Rail's route. (Credit: Etihad Rail) The 900km-long Etihad Rail passenger train will connect 11 cities across the seven emirates in the UAE. It will stretch from Al Sila to Fujairah including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from Dubai to Fujairah will only take 50 minutes each in the future on the national service. But a high-speed rail project linking the two emirates will reduce travel times to just 30 minutes. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tour a train on the Etihad Rail passenger service (Credit: Etihad Rail) Meanwhile, travelling from Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais will only take one hour and ten minutes and travelling from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take one hour and 40 minutes. Etihad Rail will have convenient passenger services that will allow you to plan your journey between the Emirates and book your tickets. Commute times will reduce by 30 to 40 percent compared to other modes of transport. And it has been revealed that Al Maktoum International Airport will eventually have an Etihad Rail once the massive revamp has been completed. The maximum speed of the passenger train service for all emirates will be 200 km/ph and by 2030 will aim to transport 36 million passengers per year. While the high-speed rail project will be up to 350km/h. When will the Etihad Rail passenger trains start operating? Officials from the national rail company remain tight-lipped over when we'll be able to take the train and have yet to announce when we'll be able to get on board. How many seats will be on board? Join content creator Shehab Al Hashemi and Engineer Kholoud Al Mazrouei in an exclusive episode as they embark on a test journey aboard the Etihad Rail prototype passenger train, led by Emirati captain Ibrahim Al Hammadi. This future passenger train offers an unparalleled travel… — Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) December 20, 2024 Content creator Shehab Al Hashemi and engineer Kholoud Al Mazrouei revealed how many seats we can expect on board the initial passenger train. Passenger trains will have capacity for around 400 people spread across different classes. One business class carriage will have 16 seats and economy class will have 56 seats in each carriage. What about the Oman Etihad Rail? The railway network will connect Sohar in Oman to Abu Dhabi in the UAE, via Sohar Port to the UAE National Rail Network. Read more on the Oman Etihad Rail project here and find out all about this major step forward for connectivity between UAE and Oman. How long will it take to travel from the UAE to Oman on this train? Generally, passenger trains will travel at a maximum speed of 200km per hour. This is fast, but not at the level of some of the Dubai/Abu Dhabi high-speed train project which will travel at 350km/h. A bit of trivia for your next pub quiz: the world's fastest public train is the Shanghai Maglev in China, which travels at 460km per hour. But the Oman-Etihad-Rail is fast enough to dramatically reduce travel times. Trains are estimated to take 1 hour 40 minutes to move between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, and just 47 minutes to travel from Al Ain to Sohar. One of the bridges (Credit: Etihad Rail) Freight trains in action (Credit: Etihad Rail) What kind of amenities will the Etihad Rail passenger train have? The Etihad Rail passenger train will have many amenities, entertainment and comfortable seating with high levels of security and efficiency. There will be infotainment systems, charging stations, food and beverages and lots of legroom, plus, an advanced air-conditioning system. Planned to be the height of sophistication, Etihad Rail has signed a contract with Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale to head up the project. It is thought the passenger train will have an Orient Express style. Each passenger station will have a bunch of retail on offer to travellers as well as a business-class lounge and family-friendly amenities. What is Etihad Freight Rail? The Freight Rail service is already operational and is used to transport goods and materials across the Emirates, keeping heavy trucks off UAE roads. The passenger service will use the same infrastructure as the freight trains network. Freight trains are now operating across the UAE, with a fleet consisting of 38 locomotives and over 1,000 wagons capable of carrying a wide range of goods. Over the summer, Etihad Rail shared two videos with engineer Khuloud, as she showcased how freight is collected, loaded and transported along the new line. In Episode 2, watch Engineer Khuloud's journey as she explores the process of loading goods onto trains at Etihad Rail terminals, ensuring a smooth and timely arrival at the final destination while prioritizing safety and security procedures.#EtihadRail — Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) July 1, 2024 The plans also include the development of a rail freight terminal in Al Ruways Industrial City, extending over an area of more than one million square metres, where the terminal will handle loading and unloading, as well as storage and maintenance of shipping containers. By using rail, the time required to transport Borouge's products will be reduced to four hours compared to 12 hours via other modes of transport. For those wanting to book freight services, you can now do so on the Etihad Rail website. Reducing time and costs, it's possible to use Etihad Rail to move goods around the Emirates. How will the Etihad Rail help sustainability? Etihad Rail freight train (Credit: Etihad Rail) According to Etihad Rail, by 2050 the National Rail Network will reduce road transport C02 emissions by 21 percent. Confirming that one train trip will remove 300 trucks from roads around the UAE, which will improve the number of emissions and traffic on the road. In other Dubai news How to spot Dubai's new silent traffic radars (and the fines they can give you) They're looking out for more than just speeding The world's most powerful passport list is out, and the UAE is up there How does your passport compare? Dubai buses will have smart passenger counting systems to make sure you pay your fare Commuters caught evading fares are subject to a fine of Dh200
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Alef launches Hamsa 2 in Al Mamsha Sharjah
Sharjah, UAE – Alef, the leading real estate developer in Sharjah, has officially launched Hamsa 2, the second residential building within the Hamsa neighbourhood at Al Mamsha. The launch follows the strong market demand for the first building in the Hamsa cluster and continues the momentum of Alef's successful delivery of modern, fully walkable communities in the heart of New Sharjah. Hamsa 2 offers a curated selection of 150 residential units spread across 8 floors. The building features a variety of apartment types, including 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units, each designed to meet the lifestyle needs of young professionals, growing families, and long-term investors alike. Issa Ataya, CEO of Alef, commented: "The launch of Hamsa 2 reflects our commitment to delivering contemporary, high-quality homes that meet the evolving expectations of Sharjah's residents and investors. As part of our continued efforts to shape the future of urban living in the emirate, we are proud to introduce this new addition to one of our most vibrant neighbourhoods.' Hamsa 2 is designed to promote wellbeing, comfort, and functionality, offering smart layouts with spacious interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive balconies. The building is equipped with advanced amenities including landscaped podium gardens, children's play areas, shaded seating zones, swimming pools, and direct access to Al Mamsha's signature retail and dining destinations. With the launch of Hamsa 2, the neighbourhood now comprises two out of its planned three residential buildings. Upon completion, Hamsa will feature a total of 431 apartments, including 352 one-bedroom units, 52 two-bedroom units, and 27 three-bedroom units. The cluster is distinguished by its elevated podium structure with commercial units, water features, shaded walkways, and seamless access to Al Mamsha's wider pedestrian-friendly network. With its proximity to Sharjah International Airport, the University City of Sharjah, and major highways, Al Mamsha Hamsa ensures seamless connectivity and ease of living. About Alef Alef, founded by the late visionary Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi in 2013, stands today as a testament to his pioneering spirit in the realm of lifestyle experience provision. Operating from its central hub in Sharjah, UAE, this privately-owned entity has carved a niche for itself as a trailblazer in the creation of premier lifestyle communities, destinations, and experiences. The company's strategy hinges on insightful investment choices and the cultivation of strategic joint ventures, paving the way for innovation and excellence in the sector. With a commanding presence reflected in a robust AED 12 billion asset base and extensive land bank, Alef's premium developments are at the forefront, driving progress in both business and leisure initiatives. These developments are complemented by the company's dedication to building high calibre residential communities that set industry benchmarks.
Al Bawaba
29-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Alef Launches Hamsa 2 in Al Mamsha Sharjah
Alef, the leading real estate developer in Sharjah, has officially launched Hamsa 2, the second residential building within the Hamsa neighbourhood at Al Mamsha. The launch follows the strong market demand for the first building in the Hamsa cluster and continues the momentum of Alef's successful delivery of modern, fully walkable communities in the heart of New 2 offers a curated selection of 150 residential units spread across 8 floors. The building features a variety of apartment types, including 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units, each designed to meet the lifestyle needs of young professionals, growing families, and long-term investors Ataya, CEO of Alef, commented: "The launch of Hamsa 2 reflects our commitment to delivering contemporary, high-quality homes that meet the evolving expectations of Sharjah's residents and investors. As part of our continued efforts to shape the future of urban living in the emirate, we are proud to introduce this new addition to one of our most vibrant neighbourhoods.'Hamsa 2 is designed to promote wellbeing, comfort, and functionality, offering smart layouts with spacious interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive balconies. The building is equipped with advanced amenities including landscaped podium gardens, children's play areas, shaded seating zones, swimming pools, and direct access to Al Mamsha's signature retail and dining destinations. With the launch of Hamsa 2, the neighbourhood now comprises two out of its planned three residential buildings. Upon completion, Hamsa will feature a total of 431 apartments, including 352 one-bedroom units, 52 two-bedroom units, and 27 three-bedroom units. The cluster is distinguished by its elevated podium structure with commercial units, water features, shaded walkways, and seamless access to Al Mamsha's wider pedestrian-friendly network. With its proximity to Sharjah International Airport, the University City of Sharjah, and major highways, Al Mamsha Hamsa ensures seamless connectivity and ease of living.
Khaleej Times
11-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Alef launches final neighbourhood ‘Deem' in Hayyan
Alef, the leading real estate developer in Sharjah, announced the launch of 'Deem,' the fourth and final neighbourhood within the Hayyan residential community. Deem introduces a total of 313 residential units, thoughtfully designed to complement Hayyan's nature-inspired lifestyle. The neighbourhood features a mix of townhouses and villas, including 112 two-bedroom townhouses, 165 three-bedroom townhouses, 31 four-bedroom villas, and 5 six-bedroom villas. These homes are crafted to accommodate varying family needs within a contemporary, sustainable environment. Issa Ataya, CEO of Alef, said: 'Launching Deem signifies our commitment to realising Hayyan as a landmark residential community in Sharjah. The exceptional market response and high demand experienced in the earlier phases clearly demonstrate strong investor confidence in our vision and developments. Our strategy centres on delivering sustainable residential communities that elevate living standards. Deem will continue this legacy, offering residents thoughtfully designed homes within a harmonious and nature-oriented environment.' Strategically located for convenient access to vital educational, healthcare, and recreational facilities, Deem is just 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and closely connected to key destinations such as University City of Sharjah, 06 Mall, Al Zahia City Centre, and Sharjah Healthcare City. Residents of Deem will enjoy premium amenities, including lush green parks, cycling and jogging tracks, children's play areas, and diverse retail options, all integrated within an eco-friendly urban infrastructure. Hayyan is Alef's iconic Dh3.5 billion development spanning 8.7 million square feet and includes 1,882 villa units distributed over four different areas. Renowned for extensive green spaces, it features more than 20,000 trees, organic edible gardens, and Sharjah's largest swimming lagoon, aligning with Sharjah's vision for sustainable urban living.
