The UAE's landmark Etihad Rail network is moving full steam ahead, with the launch of a long-awaited passenger line fast approaching and major expansion of its freight services taking shape.
Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the large-scale public transport scheme, offered a glimpse into the future at the recent Global Rail conference held in Abu Dhabi.
Key deals were signed to help fast-track development goals - including the appointment of a company to operate passenger services and an agreement with a leading ride-hailing company to enhance connectivity.
Etihad Rail also unveiled a large topographic map showing 10 passenger stations on an expanded route for the network, which will eventually run for 900 kilometres across the UAE, from the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah.
The map showed several additional potential passenger stations across the UAE at places such as Sila, Mirfa, Madinat Zayed in the Al Dhafra Region and Al Dhaid.
Azza Al Suwaidi, deputy chief executive at Etihad Rail Mobility (passenger services division), would not comment on the map at the event but said Etihad Rail was “working really hard in delivering the project”.
“We are connecting 11 cities and areas within the UAE,” she said. “That is how we are going to service the UAE in terms of passenger [stations].”
When will passenger line launch?
Etihad Rail's passenger service remains on track to launch in 2026.
Ms Al Suwaidi said Etihad Rail is working to ensure the stations are linked with existing and future transport from Dubai Metro to buses and more, in what is known as the “last mile”.
It is planned for the passenger service to not only transform transport in the UAE but also eventually connect to Oman and potentially across the Gulf. When it is launched, passengers can expect travel times of 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and 105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.
The rail operator also said the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Al Ruwais, about 240km west of the capital, will be 70 minutes.
Mapping out the potential route
According to the map on show at Global Rail, the passenger service will run from the Fujairah station in Sakamkam, to Al Dhaid Station, which will be north-east of the city. From there, it will branch off to the Sharjah Station, situated near University City.
The train will then return to the main line to cut through the desert, heading towards the Dubai station. This station is situated just behind the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station.
Next, the 57-minute non-stop journey to the capital leads to Abu Dhabi Station, in Mohamed bin Zayed City, opposite Dalma Mall.
Heading west into the Al Dhafra region, the train will branch into two directions. Towards the border with Saudi Arabia, it will stop at Mirfa Station, south-west of the city. Continuing onward, it will stop at Al Dhannah Station before terminating at Sila Station, just south of the Western region city.
Taking a right towards Liwa, there will be a stop at Madinat Zayed Station. It will terminate at the Mezairaa Station, north of Liwa.
Etihad Rail declined to comment further on the rail map, but said further announcements were expected in the near future.
A passenger station model was also on display at the conference, showing a modern long building with cream coloured panels and Arabic motifs.
Four stations have previously been announced, in Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
Who will run the passenger network?
Etihad Rail this month announced a venture with Keolis International, a French company that already manages the Dubai Metro, to operate passenger trains.
Passenger numbers across the Etihad Rail network are expected to reach 36 million by 2030, to boost connectivity between the emirates and take cars off the roads to further environmental goals.
Keolis, often through joint ventures, is involved in operating and maintaining metro and regional rail networks globally such as Dubai Metro, the Valleilijn regional service in the Netherlands, and the Docklands Light Railway in London.
Plans to boost connectivity
Etihad Rail announced an agreement with taxi company Yango Group at Global Rail, which is being seen as a step towards bolstering access to passenger stations once the train service begins.
It sets out how Etihad Rail could harness Yango’s ride-hailing service around stations. It aims to support passenger pick-up and drop-off points, streamline vehicle entry and exit procedures, and help reduce congestion.
Keeping trade moving
Efforts are under way to expand the capacity of Etihad Rail’s freight network as business grows, a senior official has said.
Omar Al Sebeyi, acting chief executive of Etihad Rail's freight section, said the network is operating at full capacity when it comes to transporting aggregates, the crushed stones that are crucial for construction projects in the UAE.
The aggregates are transported from quarries in the Northern Emirates on wagons on the freight line to stations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The freight network stretches from the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah. Aside from aggregates, freight trains carry loads such as petrochemicals, polymers and general cargo in shipping containers.
It has other benefits. It was previously announced that every train could take up to 300 lorries off the UAE’s roads, and the network aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the country's road transport sector by 21 per cent annually by 2050.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi to 30 minutes
A high-speed passenger rail service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is also in the works, separate to the main Etihad Rail network.
The new line from Etihad Rail - first announced in January - would cut the journey time between the two emirates to 30 minutes.
Trains will run at up to 350kph on a route that will pass through key destinations and tourist attractions.
The new high-speed electrified line will feature six stations at Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Zayed Airport, close to Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai and Jaddaf, near Dubai Creek, Etihad Rail said.
Construction has yet to start and a date for the launch of services was not revealed but tenders for contracts have been issued and network designs approved, Etihad Rail said previously.
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
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Sunday
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Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
The five pillars of Islam
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
MATCH INFO
Brescia 1 (Skrinia og, 76)
Inter Milan 2 (Martinez 33, Lukaku 63)
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Men's football draw
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Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
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Initial investment: Undisclosed
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Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
GAC GS8 Specs
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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Heidi Sopinka
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Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
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Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
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European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th
PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
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The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
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Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
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'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
