Etihad Rail launches multi-faceted safety campaign

Roadshow bus to tour schools, malls and labour clusters in Western Region for seven months.

Etihad Rail, developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has launched a multi-faceted campaign that will educate communities and urge them to follow safety rules along the paths of the 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 throughout the Western Region of Abu Dhabi emirate.

A roadshow will tour the Western Region over a seven-month period. Stopping at schools, municipality buildings, malls, workers’ accommodation and other community areas, the double-decker 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 024999 889.

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 safety of our employees, customers and the community has been our top priority since the inception of this project,” said Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, acting CEO at Etihad Rail.

Al Mazrouei added, “With safety in 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 transportation of granulated sulphur from inland sources to Ruwais. Led by its Chairman, Mattar Al Tayer, Etihad Rail DB will also act as a consultant for the operations of future stages of the Etihad Rail network.

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.

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

news@khaleejtimes.com