Etihad Rail launches safety campaign in Western Region of Abu Dhabi

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, launched this week a multi-faceted campaign that will educate and urge communities to follow safety rules along the path of the railway network. The safety campaign is a critical component of Etihad Rail’s preparations to launch full operations, which will see trains running for the first time in the UAE and will run throughout the Western Region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. 

A key part of the safety campaign is a roadshow that will tour the Western Region over a seven-month period. Stopping at schools, municipality buildings, malls, workers’ accommodation and other community areas, the two-story roadshow bus has been  designed to resemble a train and features an Experience Centre that will engage audiences on how the railway will work, and how it will impact the UAE. Additionally, members of the public will learn essential but simple safety tips to keep in mind around the railway. These tips include staying outside fenced-off areas around the tracks, crossing only at designated areas, and reporting damaged fences or people breaking the rules by calling 02 4999 889. 

“The safety of our employees, customers and the community has been our top priority since the inception of this transformational project,” said Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Acting CEO at Etihad Rail. “Rail is a key pillar of the UAE’s prosperous future, and this campaign ensures that Etihad Rail and Etihad Rail DB’s safety culture extends to the wider public in an interactive manner.” 

Al Mazrouei further added: “With safety at the forefront of all that we do, Etihad Rail is set to deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the UAE.  Working alongside Etihad Rail DB, our operations and maintenance partner for Stage One, this initiative is among many that sees us well positioned for the successful launch of the railway.” 

Etihad Rail DB was established as a joint venture between Etihad Rail and DB Schenker Rail, a subsidiary of German-based Deutsche Bahn. The aim of the joint venture is to operate and maintain Stage One of the Etihad Rail network, a 264-kilometre route that will facilitate the transport of granulated sulphur from inland sources to Ruwais. Led by its Chairman H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Etihad Rail DB will also act as a consultant for the operations of future stages of the Etihad Rail network. 

Campaign organisers will also be distributing informative and engaging materials in Arabic, English, and Hindi. The materials have been designed to alert communities about the approaching historic launch of the Habshan-Ruwais route, carrying the slogan, The Train is Approaching… Play by the Rules. 

The railway’s tracks are fenced off to allow trains to travel safely around the network. People can conveniently cross at 20 over-bridges, two under-bridges, 10 road underpasses and 18 smaller underpasses for future use. Animals will also be able to move around their environment via the 10 camel underpasses, 22 gazelle underpasses, and 78 reptile underpasses. 

By linking the UAE’s key centres of population and industry, the railway will bring urban and peripheral communities together, facilitate trade and open up communications channels, all while driving economic growth and social development. The locomotives will reduce pollution by producing up to 80 percent less carbon dioxide than the equivalent number of trucks carrying the same load. 

While Stage One will link Shah and Habshan to Ruwais in the Western Region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate, Stage Two will connect the railway to Musaffah, to the Gulf ports of Khalifa and Jebel Ali and to the Saudi and Omani borders. Stage Three will then extend the network from Dubai to the Northern Regions. The UAE railway will also form a vital part of the wider GCC rail network.