Kathmandu. The first national train service of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started. The long awaited express train network has been opened for public. This train service will connect 11 cities in the region.
The first train service to operate in the Middle Eastern country left Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman at 5:34 am local time on Tuesday. The inaugural service arrived at the Mohammed bin Zayed City Station in the capital Abu Dhabi at 7:19 am in 1 hour 45 minutes covering a distance of about 250 km.
According to CNN, the operating company Etihad Rail has informed that it has started its ‘initial operational phase’. According to the company’s press release, this was the first of six services scheduled to launch on the network’s first day. Etihad Rail said in a statement that more than 10,000 tickets had already been sold before the start of the new train service.
The company promises its customers a ‘modern travel experience’ with air-conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets and reserved seats. For more comfort and convenience, ‘Premium Class Services’ are also provided.
Fares start at 55 dirhams ($15) for comfort class and 120 dirhams ($33) for premium class. The company currently has 13 trains, each of which has a capacity of 400 passengers.
इतिहाद रेलकी प्रमुख सञ्चालन अधिकृत अज्जा अलसुवैदीले विज्ञप्तिमा भनिन्, ‘आज बिहान फुजैराहबाट भएको पहिलो प्रस्थान यस्तो क्षण हो जहाँ राष्ट्रिय दृष्टिकोण दैनिक जीवनको हिस्सा बन्छ। यसले मानिसहरूलाई एकअर्कासँग, अवसरहरूसँग र हाम्रो देशलाई यति अद्वितीय बनाउने ठाउँहरूसँग जोडिने नयाँ तरिका प्रदान गर्दछ। आजका यात्रुहरूले वर्षौंपछि पनि आफूहरू यसको बिल्कुलै सुरुवातमा उपस्थित रहेको गर्वका साथ भन्न सक्नेछन्।’
The network will expand later this year with the opening of Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station on September 30, followed by stations at Al Dhafra three months later. According to Etihad Rail, the entire route will be completed after the Sharjah station opens at the end of March next year.
The 900km long network is an important part of the UAE’s comprehensive plan to reduce carbon emissions and develop a sustainable transport system. Once all stations are open, the network will connect the Gulf of Oman through the emirate to the Persian Gulf, to the hinterland of Abu Dhabi and to Ghuwefat on the border with Saudi Arabia.
Emirati citizens are known for their fascination with cars. So starting a rail system also meant finding a reasonable option to transport people from the railway station to their homes or other destinations.
Abdullah Hamad Alghafeli, the acting director general of the government agency ‘Integrated Transport Center’, which is responsible for transport, said that they are working together with Etihad Rail. “We have integrated passenger rail with Abu Dhabi’s extensive public transport network, making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to continue their journey using buses, taxis and other modes of transport,” he said.
Although there has been much excitement about its launch in the UAE, it remains to be seen how the arrival of rail travel will affect international tourism.