Said to be the largest cohesive system for transporting goods and passengers across the country, the programme will see passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai within 50 minutes.

After several years of work underway, the United Arab Emirates government has finally announced the launch of the largest integrated rail system across the country.

Said to be the largest cohesive system for transporting goods and passengers across the country, the programme will see passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai within 50 minutes, and from the UAE Capital to Fujairah in 100. Top speeds on the trains could hit 200kmph, mentioned the plan.

The news was announced on Sunday at the Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of 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 Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Etihad Rail, which will be the first national carriage and passenger network in the region that will connect the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and is targeted to be ready before the end of 2030.

Talking about the project, Sheikh Mohammed said, “The Etihad Rail is the largest project to consolidate the strength of the union for the next 50 years. It will connect 11 key cities and regions across the UAE. The UAE's infrastructure is among the best in the world, and Etihad Rail will further enhance UAE excellence in the logistical field. The project comes in line with the environmental policy of the UAE, and it will reduce carbon emissions by 70-80 per cent.”

The programme aims to connect the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, making it a vital part of the $100bn Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rail programme. The 1,200km railway project is estimated to cost $13.6 billion and is expected to serve about 16 million passengers and 50 million tonnes of freight.

Jointly owned by the government of Abu Dhabi and the federal government of the UAE, the Etihad Rail was jointly launched as Union Railway Company in June 2009.

The first phase of the rail network that opened in 2016, the 266km-long rail connects Al Ruwais and Shah. In Stage Two, Ghuweifat from the Saudi Arabia border will be connected to Emirates through Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Port, Kizad, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Jebel Ali Port, Sharjah, and Fujairah on the east coast of UAE.