Etihad Rail has carried more than 350 passengers through the exceptional operation of passenger trains between Ghuwaifat station on the UAE-Saudi border and Al Faya station in Abu Dhabi, as part of national efforts to find transport alternatives after some aviation services in the region were suspended.
The trips were operated under the coordination and direct supervision of the Abu Dhabi Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre, in cooperation with the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia, as part of an emergency operational plan to ease the movement of travelers affected by disruption to air traffic, according to a press release on the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office website.
This operation is the first practical use of the passenger train route before the service officially launches, as the train was operated to carry passengers arriving via the Ghuwaifat border crossing to the capital Abu Dhabi safely and in an organized manner.
The relevant authorities stressed that the operation was carried out according to approved safety protocols and emergency plans, with the necessary operational and technical resources allocated to ensure the trips ran smoothly, without affecting freight operations, which continued across the national rail network on their usual schedule.
Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre, explained that this step reflects the ability of the national response system to move quickly to face regional changes, and confirms the strategic role of the national rail network in supporting the transport system during exceptional circumstances.
For his part, Eng. Mohamed Al Shehhi, Head of Projects at Etihad Rail, noted that the exceptional operation of the passenger train highlights the network's technical and operational readiness, stressing that additional trips were scheduled when needed in coordination with the competent authorities until air traffic returns and flights become regular.
This exceptional operation reflects the ability of the UAE's transport infrastructure to provide fast and safe alternatives for passenger movement when disruptions occur in the aviation sector.
To view the post on the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office website, click here.
