The United Arab Emirates is moving closer to launching its long-awaited passenger rail network after the completion of the first station in Fujairah, with additional stations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the final stages of preparation, according to remarks by an Etihad Rail executive reported by Gulf News.

Etihad Rail has completed its first passenger station in Fujairah, marking a milestone in the phased rollout of the country’s passenger rail system, which is expected to connect major cities and economic hubs across the federation.

Speaking to Gulf News during a media preview, Adhraa Almansoori, Executive Director of Commercial at Etihad Rail Mobility, said the company was preparing three stations for the initial launch while other locations would open gradually.

“We announced earlier this year that we will launch three of the 11 stations, and the rest will gradually open,” Almansoori told Gulf News, adding that stations in Dubai and Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi were receiving final operational preparations to ensure safety and service readiness.

According to the report, the first three announced stations include Fujairah, Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi, and Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, part of an 11-station passenger network planned nationwide.

The Fujairah station, located in Al Hilal City, has been positioned near key economic and transport infrastructure, including Fujairah Port and the Fujairah Free Zone. Etihad Rail projects that trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 kilometres (124 miles) per hour, reducing travel time between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah to around 105 minutes once services begin.

Almansoori said station locations were selected based on factors such as population density, transport demand, and alignment with national development priorities.

“Rail transport will definitely change the way people commute in the UAE,” she told Gulf News, describing rail as a safer and more reliable alternative to road travel.

The UAE has invested heavily in transport infrastructure as part of broader efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen domestic connectivity. Passenger rail has long been seen as a major missing component in a country that largely depends on private vehicles and air travel between emirates.

For travellers and residents, the rail network is expected to reduce road congestion, improve intercity commuting, and support tourism by linking airports, urban centres and industrial zones more efficiently.

Etihad Rail is also studying future expansion plans beyond the initial 11 stations, with Almansoori saying demand patterns and national strategic priorities would shape the next phase of network growth, according to Gulf News.

The passenger network forms part of the UAE’s broader railway programme, which has already developed freight services connecting industrial centres and ports across the country. Industry observers say the success of the passenger rollout could significantly reshape mobility patterns and regional transport planning in the Gulf state.

Source: Gulf News