The UAE Government has announced the launch of the UAE Railways Programme which will be the largest integrated system for transporting goods and passengers across the country.
The project will link all the emirates in the UAE as well as the key cities, with the first phase of the Etihad Rail fully operational since 2016.
As part of the 'Projects of the 50', the programme is a series of developmental and economic projects that aim to increase the development in the UAE and transform it into a comprehensive hub in all sectors.
The project will also connect Ghuwaifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to the port of Fujairah on the Eastern Coast.
Through the project, over 9,000 jobs in the railway sector and supporting sectors will be created by 2030.
The programme will include three key projects, the freight rail for freight services, the rail passenger services to connect 11 cities and the integrated transport service which will offer smart transportation to cities in the UAE.
Smart services will also be developed to allow individuals to plan and book trips, integrate logistics operations, for port and customs services and provide integrated logistics solutions.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said, "The Etihad Rail is the largest project to consolidate the strength of the union for the next fifty years. It will connect 11 key cities and regions across the UAE. The UAE's infrastructure is among the best in the world, and the 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%."