The first preview operational passenger train trip in the UAE has arrived at the Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi from Fujairah, paving the way for the start of passenger services on the Etihad Rail network.
The trip cut the journey between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah to around 105 minutes, on trains reaching speeds of 200 km per hour, offering passengers reserved seats, free Wi-Fi, device charging points and dedicated luggage space, according to a post on the Emirates News Agency (WAM) website.
The passenger train began operating less than five years after the UAE announced the service as part of the "Projects of the 50", as part of developing a modern transport system linking cities and communities and supporting sustainable mobility solutions within the country.
The project's importance goes beyond making travel between the emirates easier, as passenger train services are expected to generate economic and social benefits estimated at around AED 91 billion over the next fifty years, by improving mobility efficiency, reducing congestion, cutting carbon emissions, supporting domestic tourism and linking economic and urban centers.
Athraa Al Mansoori, Chief Commercial Officer at Etihad Rail Passenger Services, said the arrival of the first Etihad Rail trips at the Mohamed bin Zayed City station from Fujairah station marks an important moment in the UAE's transport journey.
She added that the project is not just about providing transport from one station to another, but marks the beginning of a new phase of mobility in the country based on safety, reliability and sustainability, reflecting the UAE's drive toward a modern and integrated transport system.
She noted that the passenger train project was announced in December 2021, and that launching the service less than five years later reflects the speed and quality of implementation of national projects.
She stressed that the inaugural trip had an Emirati character, with passengers watching the sunrise over the Fujairah mountains, noting that demand for the service has been remarkable since it was announced, with the Etihad Rail app topping the smart app charts and operations starting smoothly according to plan.
Etihad Rail currently allows tickets to be booked through its digital platforms, with introductory fares for the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route starting from AED 55 in Comfort Class and AED 120 in Premium Class, with multiple options to suit passengers' needs in terms of flexibility and services.
The current operation is the first phase of a gradual expansion plan, with Dubai and Al Dhaid joining the network on 30 September 2026, followed by Al Dhafra region stations in December of the same year and Sharjah in March 2027, leading to a national network connecting 11 cities and regions across the country.
When the network is fully operational, the passenger train fleet's capacity is expected to reach around 10 million passengers a year, making rail one of the components of the UAE's future transport system.
To view the post on the Emirates News Agency website, click here.
