Etihad Trains: Providing passenger rail service between Al Ghuwaifat and Al Faya stations

As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance preparedness and raise the efficiency of response to the current regional situation, and in direct coordination with the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Center of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Rails, in an exceptional step, operated the passenger train as part of its trial trips on the track linking Al Ghuwaifat Station on the border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Al Faya Station in Abu Dhabi, as a supportive measure for the continuity of vital services and the provision of safe and reliable transportation alternatives according to continuous assessments of risks and variables.

The connection between the two stations is gaining strategic importance at this time, as it represents an enhancement of the geographical connectivity between the two countries, and supports the flow of movement to and from vital ports with the aim of facilitating the movement of citizens and residents of the country and enhancing the ability of the concerned authorities to activate alternative paths within the approved response plans.

The operation of the route comes within a package of operational and proactive measures implemented in coordination between the center and the relevant authorities to ensure the integration of roles and enhance logistical security, in line with business continuity plans and multi-scenario risk management.

In this context, Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Center for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, stressed that developing transportation options and enhancing their readiness are an essential part of the comprehensive response system, indicating that dealing with developments is done according to clear governance frameworks and integrated coordination mechanisms between vital sectors that ensure speed of adaptation and efficient use of resources.

He added that the flexibility of the transportation sector represents a pivotal pillar in supporting societal stability because it is directly linked to the continuity of services, stressing that the center will continue to follow developments and analyze relevant indicators around the clock with the aim of enhancing the emirate’s readiness and consolidating community confidence in the efficiency of the response system.

For his part, Head of the Projects Sector at Etihad Rails, Engineer Mohammed Al Shehhi, said: “Providing passenger transport services between Al Ghuwaifat and Al Faya, within the framework of the trial run, reflects the level of readiness and flexibility enjoyed by the national railway network in the UAE, which was developed to support the continuity of vital services in various circumstances. This comes in line with the directives of our wise leadership regarding consolidating the readiness of the national transport system and enhancing its strategic role in supporting society, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Etihad Rail.

Al Shehhi added: “We are proud to contribute to supporting the joint response efforts led by the concerned authorities, ensuring the provision of safe, reliable and organized transportation solutions at a time when the continuity of the transportation system is becoming increasingly important. Our teams continue to work in close coordination with our partners from government agencies to ensure the sustainability of operations and provide reliable transportation services, in a way that enhances the flow of movement and supports the readiness of the national transportation system.”

Operating the route at this time reflects an institutional approach based on advance preparation and activating operational alternatives when needed, which enhances the flexibility of the infrastructure and the emirate’s ability to deal efficiently with changes.

The operation of this path confirms that the response process in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is not limited to preventive measures or field coordination only, but extends to thoughtful operational decisions that are activated at the appropriate time to enhance the efficiency of the service system and ensure the smooth flow of movement in various circumstances. This step represents a practical model of how to translate risk assessments into realistic operational solutions that support vital sectors and support the emirate’s ability to manage variables efficiently and stably, in a way that maintains the stability of services and enhances the readiness of the infrastructure to confront any developments.