Real estate experts predict that some residences might see value increases of up to 15% as a result of Etihad Rail’s recent announcement. However, they emphasized that the full impact is likely to be observed gradually as the effort grows and progresses.

According to Jeff Raju, CEO of Manifest Real Estate, rental and price rises of roughly 10 to 15 percent are projected to occur in the neighborhoods surrounding the Etihad Rail stations. The value of a house is probably going to be greatly impacted by its closeness to metro and Etihad Rail stations.

In agreement, Svetlana Vasilieva, head of secondary sales at Metropolitan Premium Properties, stated that price increases of 5 to 7% are expected in specific localities, like Al Jaddaf.

According to her, projects with spacious apartment layouts closer to the station can see an increase of up to 10% once Etihad Rail is up and running. Because Saadiyat Island has a more developed social infrastructure and more demand than Reem and Yas Island, I expect a bigger price increase there.

However, other analysts pointed out that increases in property values may not occur immediately. Although the immediate impact on property prices may be minimal, Evgeny Ratskevich, CEO of Metropolitan Capital Real Estate, stated that the long-term effects will be noticed gradually.

We expect a gradual increase in value, especially for residences near the train stations, as more inhabitants seek the convenience of shorter commutes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, he said. 

An important development for the Etihad Rail network was the January 23 unveiling of the first high-speed, all-electric passenger train. In just thirty minutes, travelers will be able to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi thanks to this train.

With a top speed of 350 km/h, the train will make six stops, four of which will be in Abu Dhabi: Zayed International Airport, Saadiyat, Yas Island, and Reem Island. In Dubai, the stations will be between Al Maktoum International Airport and the Al Jaddaf district. In the Sakamkam district of Fujairah and Sharjah University City, two stations were originally announced.

There will be notable increases in property values in the vicinity of the Etihad Rail stations, according to Fibha Ahmed, VP of Property Sales at Bayut. She used historical trends to show how improved connectivity brought higher prices to areas like JLT and Dubai Marina when the Dubai Metro was introduced.

When the Metro was implemented in Dubai, she said that property values rose in neighborhoods like JLT and Dubai Marina due to improved connectivity. In all seven emirates along the Etihad Rail route, I expect the same for ports, industrial zones, and urban centers. Its extensive network will enhance accessibility and raise local housing demand. 

The high-speed train is expected to boost the UAE’s GDP by Dh145 billion over the next 50 years. Etihad Rail also intends to introduce a regular passenger train.

Experts also anticipate that the train system will drastically alter passenger patterns and employment opportunities. According to Mohammad Braiwish, general director of TrafQuest, a traffic and transportation technology company with headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, “it may change housing options and employment prospects in both emirates.”

The program will make important events like Formula 1 more accessible to both locals and foreign tourists. Lastly, he stated that the strategic positioning of stations close to international airports will simplify connectivity for both business and tourists.

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