The long -awaited GCC Railway is scheduled to be completed by December 2030, in which all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is connected to the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
It is estimated that extending up to 2.177 km, a significant reduction in travel hours from the mega network, increasing movement for residents and increasing the flow of trade and investment throughout the region.
A game changer for contact
Once operational, railway will change regional travel. For example, the journey between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh will take less than five hours, which will offer a sharp and effective alternative to road or air travel. Beyond the convenience of passengers, the project is also seen as an important step toward deepening the economic alliance between the GCC states.
Challenges ahead
To make the network fully functional, member states will need to integrate safety, technical and environmental standards. Smooth customs and immigration procedures will also be necessary for both passengers and freight to ensure cross -border movements, minimize delays on checkpoints.
Parallel development in the United Arab Emirates
Along with the regional project, the United Arab Emirates is moving forward its national rail network – coalition rail – which is about to open next year. The system will connect 11 key locations across the country, which will reduce the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai for only 30 minutes, with trains running at 350 km per hour.
In Sharjah, construction is growing rapidly, which is offering hope for communities daily, which currently spends long time trapped in traffic while traveling to other UAE, especially Dubai.