UAE operates a developing rail network through Etihad Rail, featuring freight and passenger services, alongside advanced metro systems in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (under construction), with significant expansion plans.
Network Overview
| Parameter |
Statistics |
Notes |
| National Network |
1,200 km |
Etihad Rail |
| Urban Metro |
90 km |
Dubai Metro |
| Track Gauge |
1,435 mm |
Standard gauge |
| Electrified Lines |
90 km |
Urban systems |
| International Links |
Planned |
GCC Railway |
Major Systems
Etihad Rail Network
| Section |
Length (km) |
Status |
Usage |
Type |
| Stage 1 |
264 |
Operational |
Freight |
Sulfur transport |
| Stage 2 |
605 |
Active |
Mixed |
National network |
| Stage 3 |
331 |
Planning |
Mixed |
Urban connection |
| Line |
Length (km) |
Stations |
Daily Riders |
Status |
| Red Line |
52.1 |
29 |
500K |
Operational |
| Green Line |
22.5 |
20 |
200K |
Operational |
| Route 2020 |
15 |
7 |
125K |
Operational |
Technical Parameters
Track Infrastructure
| Parameter |
National Rail |
Urban Metro |
GCC Standard |
| Track Gauge |
1,435mm |
1,435mm |
1,435mm |
| Power Supply |
Diesel |
750V DC |
25kV AC |
| Max Speed |
200 km/h |
90 km/h |
200 km/h |
| Signaling |
ETCS L2 |
CBTC |
ETCS L2 |
Rolling Stock
National Fleet
| Type |
Quantity |
Manufacturer |
Usage |
Status |
| Locomotives |
45 |
EMD |
Freight |
Active |
| Passenger Sets |
15* |
CAF |
Planned |
Ordered |
| Freight Wagons |
1,200 |
Various |
Active |
Operating |
*Planned/Ordered
Urban Fleet
| Type |
Quantity |
Manufacturer |
Capacity |
System |
| Metro Sets |
129 |
Kinki Sharyo |
643 |
Dubai Metro |
| Tram Sets |
11 |
Alstom |
408 |
Dubai Tram |
Operations
Passenger Services
| Service Type |
Daily Services |
Annual Passengers |
Punctuality |
| Dubai Metro |
1,200+ |
200M |
99.9% |
| Dubai Tram |
364 |
6M |
99% |
| National Rail* |
Planned |
– |
– |
*Future service
Freight Traffic
| Commodity |
Annual Volume (M tonnes) |
Share |
Trend |
| Sulfur |
7 |
60% |
Stable |
| Construction |
2.5 |
21% |
Growing |
| Industrial |
2.2 |
19% |
Growing |
Infrastructure Development
Current Projects (2025-2027)
| Project |
Budget (AED B) |
Status |
Completion |
| Stage 2 Completion |
18 |
Active |
2026 |
| Passenger Services |
12 |
Planning |
2026 |
| GCC Connection |
8 |
Planning |
2027 |
Future Plans (2027-2030)
| Project |
Estimated Cost (AED B) |
Status |
Notes |
| Stage 3 Development |
25 |
Planning |
Urban integration |
| Metro Extension |
15 |
Proposed |
Dubai expansion |
| Abu Dhabi Metro |
40 |
Planning |
New system |
Environmental Initiatives
Sustainability Goals
| Initiative |
Target |
Timeline |
Status |
| CO2 Reduction |
-40% |
2030 |
Active |
| Solar Power |
50% usage |
2028 |
Planning |
| Energy Efficiency |
+35% |
2027 |
Ongoing |
Smart Solutions
| Technology |
Implementation |
Coverage |
Status |
| Smart Gates |
Metro stations |
100% |
Active |
| Real-time Info |
All systems |
100% |
Operating |
| Predictive Maintenance |
Network-wide |
90% |
Advanced |
Desert Operations
Climate Adaptation
| Challenge |
Solution |
Implementation |
| Sand Management |
Protection systems |
Network-wide |
| Heat Impact |
Advanced cooling |
All systems |
| Solar Exposure |
Special materials |
Infrastructure |
| Dust Control |
Regular maintenance |
Continuous |
Economic Impact
Employment
| Sector |
Direct Jobs |
Indirect Jobs |
| Operations |
5,000 |
15,000 |
| Construction |
8,000 |
24,000 |
| Maintenance |
3,000 |
9,000 |
