Etihad Rail will be running a passenger service from Abu Dhabi to the Al Dhannah region, following the signing of an agreement.
The railway operator has teamed up with Adnoc, to allow Adnoc employees to travel between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah, about 250km west of the capital, by train, state news agency Wam reported.
“The UAE's railway network is a key contributor to the UAE's strategic visions across various sectors,” said Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court and chairman of Etihad Rail.
“An integrated rail network is an essential aspect of infrastructure within major cities and countries across the globe, and Etihad Rail is playing a similarly significant role in the UAE's sustainable development.”
No date has been confirmed for when the UAE's passenger rail service will begin. However, it was announced last year that the first passenger station will be Sakamkam in Fujairah.
Etihad Rail announced in February that its vast freight network was fully operational.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the freight line in February.
It consists of a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons.
The rail network stretches about 900km across the country – extending as far as Oman – and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 21 per cent.
Also present at the signing of the agreement was Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President-designate – who also serves as managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc.
“This partnership with Etihad Rail underscores Adnoc's commitment to supporting sustainable transportation solutions and infrastructure development projects in the UAE.
“It also highlights Adnoc's drive to explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships and implement solutions and technologies that accelerate efforts to reduce emissions as we work towards our net-zero [target] by 2045.”
The partnership will allow Adnoc employees to travel between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah once it becomes operational.
It is also expected to pave the way for new arrangements between other companies and Etihad Rail.
Etihad rail in numbers - in pictures
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Etihad Rail's freight network is now operational. It can transport 60 million tonnes of goods a year. All photos: Etihad Rail -
The new freight service has 38 locomotives -
The freight trains will run up to 120kph, with each locomotive operating at 4,500 horsepower -
The locomotives pull a total of 1,000 wagons, transporting goods ranging from shipping containers to industrial material -
The tracks cross the UAE and feature 593 bridges -
The network will contribute Dh200 billion ($54.4 billion) to the UAE economy and save Dh8 billion in road maintenance costs -
The project also aims to reduce carbon emissions from the road transport sector by 21 per cent by 2050, boosting the country's efforts to become net zero
