Abu Dhabi presents new capital transport plan

The masterplan forms an initiative by the DoT to massively decrease Abu Dhabi residents' reliance on private cars, as the city looks to combat increased congestion and plans for the new developments proposed under the capital's Vision 2030.

The combined system will be made up of complementary transport services, including city-wide metro and tram networks, high-speed trains, buses, and ferries.

Abdullah Rashid Al Otaiba, Chairman of the DoT, told attendees at the conference that the plan would allow the government to deliver a 'world class, sustainable transport system' that would support the UAE capital's economic, cultural and environmental goals.

The metro system, for which the government is accepting feasibility study proposals until May 30, will be tendered in 2011. The finalized plan is for a 131-kilometre network, with services scheduled to run every two minutes. The system would carry an estimated 30,000 passengers every hour each way, serving the city's central districts and the airport.

Tram connections

This would link into 340 kilometres of tram lines, on a network linking the metro, city centre and outlying areas. The network's central lines are scheduled to open by 2015.

The tram would have stations every 500 metres, and bear the lion's share of passengers on the new masterplan. As well as serving Yas Island, Saadiyat Island (which under the plans would aim to be car-free by 2020), Reem Island and the planned Central Business District, the lines will also run out to Masdar City, the airport and Al Reef, Hydra City and Al Falah.

Rail links

The DoT's masterplan also takes into account a high-speed rail network, capable of travelling at up to 400kph, that will connect Abu Dhabi with other cities in the region, specifically Al Ain and Al Gharbia, as well as Dubai, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. A secondary line for freight transport, that will form part of a region-wide network that will be rolled out by 2030, will be built alongside by private contractors.

The DoT declined to name figures for the various aspects of the plan, with costs for each stage to be judged individually. The government has committed to helping finance the masterplan, although the private sector would be encouraged to build and manage the individual projects. Al Otaiba said that costs would be made public once the planning for each phase was complete.