Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed pose for a photograph with Etihad Rail officials.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday launched the Emirates railway programme (Etihad Rail).

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum  twitted, “Today, I witnessed with my brother Mohamed Bin Zayed the announcement of the UAE railway programme

"Etihad Rail,” which has made great strides in implementation.
“The project's investments worth Dhs50 billion and its returns on our overall economy are estimated at Dhs200 billion. It is the project of generations led by Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

Sheikh Mohammed added, “The Etihad Rail project represents the spirit of the Union, because it links the cities and ports of the emirates through one economic way.

“It establishes the principles of the next 50 years strategy, which is based on that the national priority is the economy and development and that the UAE is a single economic destination.

“A project with which we are proud to start the next 50 years in the UAE. The next is more beautiful and greater.”

The programme constitutes an integrated strategy for the railway sector in the UAE for the coming decades, as it includes a national network of railway projects that link the emirates and the key cities of the country. The first phase of the Etihad Rail has been fully operational since 2016, with opportunities to expand beyond the borders of the UAE.

The UAE Railways Programme falls under the 'Projects of the 50' which is a series of developmental and economic projects that aim to accelerate the UAE’s development, transform it into a comprehensive hub in all sectors and establish its status as an ideal destination for talents and investors. The UAE Railways Programme was launched during a special event celebrating the projects of the 50, held at Dubai's Expo 2020.

The event highlighted the objectives of the programme and the phases of the "Etihad Rail" project, which connects Ghuwaifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to the port of Fujairah on the Eastern Coast.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, "The National Railways Programme reflects the true meaning of integration into our national economic system, as we see the largest partnership between government entities at the federal and local levels. It comes to support a national vision to connect the country’s key centres of industry and production, open new trade routes and facilitate population movement, creating the most developed work and life environment in the region."

Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and Chairman of Etihad Rail, said that the UAE Railways Programme is a key milestone in the road transport sector and a true reflection to "The Principles of the 50."

Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed added that the UAE Railways Programme extends an opportunity to qualify and train Emirati talents and enable them to lead this vital sector in the future.

Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, said that the Etihad Rail is operated by Emirati talents who possess an exceptional experience they gain during Phase one and two, pointing out that the UAE Railways Programme provides more than 9,000 jobs by 2030.

Malak added that the Rail Passenger Services will enhance the transportation system across the UAE allowing passengers to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes.

Kholoud Al Mazrouei, Deputy Project Director of Etihad Rail said that Etihad Rail supports the public transport system in the UAE, pointing out that the key milestones are achieved during the current stage including the transportation of more than 30 million tonnes of granulated sulphur (the equivalent of around 2.8 million truck trips).

The UAE Railway Programme aims to develop a sustainable road transport system that supports economic development efforts in all sectors, including the environment, industry and tourism. The programme also aims to connect the emirates of the UAE and provide a reliable transportation system.

The investments of the UAE Railway Programme amount to Dhs50 billion, 70 per cent of which targets the local market. The programme contributes to providing more than 9,000 jobs in the railway sector and supporting sectors by 2030.

The programme contributes to reducing 70-80 per cent of carbon emissions over the next 50 years, a move that supports the UAE's efforts to preserve the environment and achieve its goal of carbon neutrality.

The UAE Railway Programme includes three key projects; the first project is the Freight Rail, which includes the Etihad Rail freight services.

The second project is the Rail Passenger Services that aim to connect 11 cities with the UAE from Al Sila to Fujairah. At a speed of 200 km/h the Rail Passenger will connect 11 cities within the UAE, where passengers can travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes.

By 2030, the number of passengers is expected to reach more than 36.5 million annually.

The UAE Railway Programme creates enormous economic opportunities amounting to Dhs200 billion; the estimated benefits of reducing carbon emissions amount to Dhs21 billion, road maintenance Dhs8 billion, in addition to achieving tourism benefits estimated at Dhs23 billion during the next 50 years, meanwhile the public benefits on the UAE economy will reach Dhs23 billion.

The Stage One (the commercial activity) of Etihad Rail commenced in January 2016. Etihad Rail has transported more than 30 million tonnes of granulated sulphur (the equivalent of around 2.8 million truck trips).

Stage Two construction phase was launched in 2018, where 70 per cent of it was achieved in less than 24 months despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Etihad Rail has continued to forge ahead and complete the project according to its clearly defined goals and comprehensive work plan.

180 entities have been cooperating and more than 40 thousand official papers have been issued. Twenty seven thousands people are working in more than 3,000 constructions sites across the country achieving 76 million working hours.