Dubai-Abu Dhabi high-speed rail link on cards

ON CARDS: Abu Dhabi and Dubai are "having conversations" about connecting urban centres via a rail link, Al Otaiba said. (Getty Images)

Abu Dhabi is in talks with Dubai about connecting the two emirates via a high-speed rail link, the chairman of the UAE capital's Department of Transport (DoT) said on Sunday.

Speaking at the launch of the DoT's five-year plan for Abu Dhabi's transport network, Abdulla Rashid Al Otaiba said the department was "having conversations [with the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)] about connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai via the railway”, quoted UAE daily The National.

The DoT's five-year plan calls for the development of a high-speed rail network, a metro and light rail network.

It also calls for the construction of new roads, the introduction of water taxis, an upgrade of the emirate's fleet of buses, and the continuation of its open skies policy to increase air traffic.

The DoT said a key element of its plan was the privatisation of transport services through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

The DoT gave no timeframe for when any of the projects would be ready, however, Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council said earlier this month that the emirate would have a light rail network "within seven years".

Dubai is in the process of constructing its own metro, with the first two lines, red and green, expected to come online in September 2009 and March 2010 respectively.

The red line will run from Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, around the American University, through the city centre, and to the Airport Free Zone.

The green line will run from Festival City, through the city centre, on to service Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, and finishing in Rashidiya.

A blue line has also been earmarked to run along Emirates Road, although the exact route is currently unknown, and a fourth purple line will connect Dubai International Airport with Al Maktoum International Airport.

The RTA is planning up to eight metro lines that will link major destinations across the emirate.

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READERS' COMMENTS

DUBAI-ABUDHABI RAIWAY LINK
Posted by BUDDHADEB MOOKERJEE, Dubai, U A E on Monday 26 May 2008 at 15:57 UAE time


This is great news indeed. A high speed mass rapid transprtation system linking the two fast growing cities will be a real boon for the residents of both the cities and work miracles in boosting the brand images of both cities. I wish the project all success and quick implementation.

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