UAE’s inter-city transit project, the Etihad Rail, on Monday announced the launch of the UAE’s first passenger train routes under the National Railway Network, marking a major step in the country’s public transport development.

The initial routes will connect Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed bin Zayed City with Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates station and extend eastwards to Fujairah’s Al Hilal City station. The new service will offer passengers a reliable and comfortable travel option between emirates.

Etihad Rail said the passenger network is designed to support economic growth, ease road congestion, provide a faster, safer alternative for intercity travel, and strengthen connectivity across the UAE.

The Etihad Rail project, set to connect 11 cities and key hubs across the UAE, will begin initial operations later this year. The first phase links Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah, forming a spine connecting the country’s main commercial centres with the east coast. Passenger services are expected to start soon, with additional routes and stations to follow.

Trains will travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and can carry up to 400 passengers. Journey times are projected at about an hour between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and around 90 minutes to Fujairah, though final timetables are still being developed.

Frequent services on the Abu Dhabi–Dubai route will cater to growing commuter and business traffic, while the connection to Fujairah aims to boost tourism and provide a reliable alternative to busy roads.

A comfortable and seamless travel experience

The trains have been designed to offer a comfortable and modern travel experience, featuring safe and ergonomic seating, contemporary interior designs, full Wi-Fi coverage, and individual power outlets at every seat. Services will operate on a precise and regular schedule, providing passengers with a reliable and efficient alternative that ensures smooth and speedy travel between cities, free from road congestion.

Reflecting on the offering for passengers on the Etihad Rail Network, Eng Mohammed Alshehii, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail, said that the service will officially launch in 2026. In its first phase the network will connect 11 cities and areas that “have been carefully selected within key locations 

such as Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, University City in Sharjah, and the Al Hilal area in Fujairah.”

Beyond mobility, the passenger rail network is expected to deliver wide-ranging national benefits. These include boosting domestic tourism, supporting mobility, helping efforts to reduce emissions, and strengthening social and economic ties between the Emirates by making the UAE feel more connected and accessible.

Source: Gulf News/Etihad Rail