Siemens Mobility showcased groundbreaking sustainable and digital rail solutions at Abu Dhabi’s Global Rail 2025 event, reaffirming its leadership in transforming Middle East rail infrastructure amidst environmental and regional challenges.
Siemens Mobility is once again positioning itself as a leader in sustainable, high-tech rail transport innovation, and they showcased a bunch of new cutting-edge solutions at the Global Rail 2025 event in Abu Dhabi from September 30 to October 2. This event, hosted by Etihad Rail at the ADNEC Centre, brings together over 20,000 professionals from more than 100 countries, with over 200 exhibitors highlighting how rail infrastructure is changing to meet the needs of future transportation systems. Siemens Mobility’s presence there really underlines their commitment to pushing forward with new technologies that are specifically tailored to tackle the unique challenges—and opportunities—of the Middle East, especially the UAE.
The company emphasizes its role in creating desert-proof, sustainable mobility solutions that not only help expand rail networks but also speed up digital transformation and improve regional connectivity. Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, shared some insights about the future of high-speed rail, while Léon Soulier—who is the CEO of the Turnkey Business Unit and also heads up Middle East & Africa—talked about how important it is for all stakeholders to work together if these advanced rail systems are to succeed. Plus, Ayman Ashour, Siemens Mobility’s CEO in the UAE and leader of the Turnkey MEA business, highlighted how crucial next-gen technologies are in shaping the region’s rail infrastructure development.
A key part of Siemens Mobility’s approach aligns well with the UAE’s broader climate goals, like the Net Zero by 2050 initiative. As Ashour pointed out, the company is keen on reducing climate change effects and conserving resources by speeding up efforts geared toward decarbonization and dematerialization across the entire mobility sector. Basically, they see high-speed rail not just as a sustainable way to get around but also as a driver for economic growth in the country.
Their track record in the Middle East and Africa really backs up their credibility, too. Siemens was a pioneer in regional milestones such as installing the Gulf Cooperation Council’s first European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 on the Dammam–Riyadh line in Saudi Arabia, and it also introduced the world’s first light rail transit system that doesn’t rely on catenary or third-rail in Qatar’s Education City. They’re also heavily involved in setting up Egypt’s high-speed rail network and were responsible for the first cross-border signaling system linking the UAE and Oman—an important step toward seamless regional connectivity, no doubt.
At Global Rail 2025, Siemens Mobility rolled out a variety of innovations designed specifically to withstand the extreme environmental conditions common in the region—like scorching temperatures and dust exposure. One standout is the Velaro Novo, a new high-speed train soon to be introduced in Egypt. It features cutting-edge cooling systems, better energy efficiency, lower maintenance needs, and improved passenger comfort. Interestingly enough, it’s built to operate reliably in temps above 50°C, with special systems to guard against sand infiltration and UV damage.
Alongside these physical assets, Siemens Mobility is also pushing forward with digital rail infrastructures. For example, they introduced Railigent X—a cloud-based platform that leverages IoT and AI to optimize rail asset management. This system can cut costs related to delays by up to 40%, reduce unscheduled depot stops by 30%, and decrease maintenance expenses by 15%. They also have Signaling X, another cloud-based platform designed to make rail signaling more efficient, and their Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over ETCS, which helps ramp up capacity on shared tracks.
Their integrated software solutions are aimed at making operations smoother and improving the rider experience. Recently, Siemens acquired Sqills, a leading cloud-based vendor of ticketing, inventory management, and reservation software—adding more digital services to their portfolio. This move complements their broader Mobility as a Service (MaaS) offerings, which aim to unify bookings across different modes of transportation like trains, buses, e-scooters, and shared bikes. Pretty smart, right?
It’s not just about the Middle East, either. Siemens is pushing the envelope worldwide with sustainable transportation initiatives, like hydrogen-powered trains in Europe, such as the Mireo Plus H. These trains emit no CO₂ and can travel up to 1,200 km on a single tank, with quick refuelling. They’re meant for routes that aren’t electrified and can accelerate up to 1.1 m/s² at a top speed of 140 km/h. In Bavaria, successful testing has garnered support from local officials and suggests a promising shift toward greener rail options.
They’ve also shown how cloud tech can improve rail signaling—like at InnoTrans 2024, where Siemens rolled out Signaling X, a platform claimed to boost operational efficiency by 20%, while cutting energy consumption by roughly 30% when used alongside ATO over ETCS. Real-life deployments in countries like Austria, Spain, and Finland demonstrate that these systems are really making a difference.
Looking ahead, Siemens Mobility’s holistic approach—combining advanced rolling stock, digital innovation, and sustainable tech—provides a compelling blueprint, especially with the ongoing push toward net-zero targets in the region and the need to expand infrastructure. Their participation at Global Rail 2025 definitely signals a strong desire to team up with regional stakeholders on big projects like the UAE’s first high-speed rail line, and beyond. It’s pretty exciting, right? Industry watchers see this as a key step toward transforming mobility, even in tough environments, while also aligning with global climate commitments.
Visitors dropping by Siemens Mobility’s booth at the ADNEC Centre can chat directly with experts about tailored solutions for the UAE’s future rail network—exploring how these innovative technologies can grow operational efficiency and contribute to a sustainable, balanced transport ecosystem that emphasizes performance, comfort, and environmental responsibility.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.zawya.com/en/business/transport-and-logistics/siemens-mobility-showcases-sustainable-high-speed-solutions-at-global-rail-2025-khgq0d97 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-showcases-digital-solutions-urban-rail-transport-uitp-summit-2025 – At the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2025 in Hamburg, Siemens Mobility presented digital solutions aimed at transforming urban mobility. Their showcase included Train2Cloud, Signaling X, Digital Station, and RailXplore, all designed to optimise lifecycle costs, enhance system availability, and maximise network capacity through cloud-based operations. These innovations leverage artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and digital twins to provide sustainable, comfortable, and cost-efficient transportation services. Executives from Siemens Mobility also participated in panel discussions on harnessing data and technology to improve public transport services.
- https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-builds-emission-free-hydrogen-powered-trains-sudostbayernbahn – Siemens Mobility is constructing emission-free hydrogen-powered trains for Südostbayernbahn, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. The Mireo Plus H trains will operate without CO₂ emissions, offering a sustainable solution for non-electrified rail routes. These trains feature a high drive power of 1.7 MW, enabling acceleration up to 1.1 m/s² and a top speed of 140 km/h. With an operating range of up to 1,200 kilometres on a single tank, they can be quickly refuelled in approximately 15 minutes, making them a viable alternative to diesel trains.
- https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-completes-first-test-runs-hydrogen-train-bavaria – Siemens Mobility has completed the first test runs of its hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H train in Bavaria. The train operates emission-free between Augsburg, Füssen, and Peissenberg, providing a sustainable solution for non-electrified routes. Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter highlighted the importance of these tests in determining the future use of hydrogen-powered trains in the region, aiming to phase out diesel operations by 2040. The Mireo Plus H train offers a range of up to 1,200 kilometres on a single tank and can be refuelled in just 15 minutes.
- https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-presents-signaling-x-and-next-level-rail-services-innotrans-2024 – At InnoTrans 2024, Siemens Mobility introduced Signaling X, a cloud-based platform integrating various signaling systems into a single, centralized data centre. This platform aims to enhance operational efficiency by up to 20% and achieve energy savings of up to 30% when combined with Automatic Train Operation over ETCS. The system has been successfully implemented in Austria and Spain, with Finland as the latest adopter. Additionally, Siemens showcased advancements in their rail service portfolio, including new functionalities in Railigent X and fully automated visual inspection technologies.
- https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-acquires-sqills-leading-rail-software-provider – Siemens Mobility has acquired Sqills, a leading provider of cloud-based inventory management, reservation, and ticketing software for public transport operators. Sqills’ S3 Passenger platform enables rail and bus operators to replace legacy reservation systems with a modern, online booking system, increasing the utilisation and availability of passenger transportation. This acquisition enhances Siemens Mobility’s software portfolio, supporting the digital transformation of public transport services and aligning with the company’s focus on generating recurring revenue through resilient business models such as Software as a Service.
- https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-receives-major-order-locomotives-and-service-czech-railways – Siemens Mobility has received a major order from Czech Railways for locomotives and service, marking the largest Vectron order from the Czech Republic to date. The locomotives are suitable for service on high-speed lines with a top speed of 230 km/h, enabling flexible, sustainable, and cross-border rail transport. The delivery will start from December 2025, with Siemens Mobility also providing a service contract to guarantee the operational availability of the locomotives, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no substantial matches found in recent publications. The earliest known publication date of similar content is September 30, 2025, aligning with the event’s commencement. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material is noted, but the update justifies a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Michael Peter, Léon Soulier, and Ayman Ashour are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Zawya, a news platform that aggregates content from various sources. While it provides timely information, its reputation for original reporting is less established compared to major outlets. The report mentions Siemens Mobility’s participation in the Global Rail 2025 event, which is corroborated by Siemens’ official event page. ([mobility.siemens.com](https://www.mobility.siemens.com/global/en/company/fairs-events/external-events/global-rail.html?utm_source=openai)) However, the lack of direct links to primary sources or official press releases raises some concerns about the report’s reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding Siemens Mobility’s showcase of sustainable high-speed solutions at the Global Rail 2025 event are plausible and align with the company’s recent initiatives. The report highlights the Velaro Novo train and digital rail infrastructures like Railigent X, which are consistent with Siemens’ known projects. The narrative also mentions Siemens’ commitment to the UAE’s climate goals, which is supported by the company’s previous investments in the region. However, the absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the lack of specific factual anchors, such as direct links to official press releases or event schedules, reduce the score and raise concerns about the report’s authenticity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents plausible and timely information about Siemens Mobility’s participation in the Global Rail 2025 event and their sustainable high-speed solutions. While the content appears original and includes unique quotes, the reliance on a press release and the lack of direct links to primary sources or official press releases raise concerns about the report’s reliability. The absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets and specific factual anchors further diminish confidence in the report’s authenticity.
