After successfully completing the construction of Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has announced the commencement of commercial operations.
“The UAE’s National Rail Network is now complete. Commercial operations start now,” Etihad Rail’s Twitter post read.
Etihad Rail’s 1,200 km network will extend across the United Arab Emirates, from the border of Saudi Arabia to the border of Oman. The railway network is expected to redefine logistics and transport in the region, providing a safe, efficient and sustainable network that will connect the seven emirates of the UAE to its neighbouring GCC countries.
The Network
The rail network will also connect four ports in the UAE, as well as logistics hubs, and will be a crucial component in the country’s logistics and transportation infrastructure.
Last month, it was announced that the rail service’s freight operations were fully operational.
The track will also have 593 bridges, a 38-locomotive fleet and six tunnels.
Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai during the opening ceremony of the railway’s central control and maintenance centre in Abu Dhabi said, “We are proud of the performance of our sons and daughters who have worked hard over the years to build an ambitious strategic project that will propel our national economy to greater heights.”
In April, Etihad Rail also released new pictures of the $3 billion megaproject’s train tracks through the Fujairah mountains.