The Etihad Rail, the UAE’s new passenger rail service, began operations on Tuesday, 30th June. Covering a stretch of around 900 kilometres, the Etihad Rail UAE will connect 10 cities and towns across the country, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.
Amidst all this, residents in Ras Al Khaimah have been left confused, as there are no stations for the emirate to access the service.
However, there are some crucial things to know regarding the context of this service in Ras Al Khaimah.
Are there Plans for Etihad Rail Ras Al Khaimah?
According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the Etihad Rail network includes future expansion plans for key destinations like Ras Al Khaimah, with details on stations and estimated journey durations.
Etihad Rail has completed track works that connect Ras Al Khaimah to this national railway network. A 5.7-kilometre line now connects the emirate to the mainline as part of the project’s final construction package.
The key point to note here is that Ras Al Khaimah is essentially part of a later stage in the overall Etihad Rail network. At present, the rail link primarily supports freight transport, which serves Ras Al Khaimah’s key industries. The line allows movement for approximately 3.5 million tons of quarry materials every year.
So, while Ras Al Khaimah has certainly been mapped within the future passenger network, an official timeline for passenger service is yet to be announced. There aren’t any confirmed travel timings for passengers on the rail network yet, but freight operations continue to benefit from the links it offers. There is also no confirmed location for a passenger station in the emirate.
RAK hasn’t been left out; it’s part of a larger sequence. Services will gradually be extended to Ras Al Khaimah. The emirate is definitely part of the plans for the larger national network.
Where Else Does the Etihad Rail Link to?
As per RAKTDA, the Etihad Rail network will stretch across the UAE, linking the western border with Saudi Arabia until the Fujairah’s eastern coastline. Along the route, the train will pass through desert landscapes, coastal plains, and the Al Hajar mountain range.
Key segments are the border city of Ghuweifat, connecting the UAE to Saudi Arabia, industrial hubs like Ruwais and ICAD in Abu Dhabi, and cultural and business centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Academic and museum districts in Sharjah, and mountain and coastal views in Fujairah, are also part of the connections.
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