The long-awaited Etihad Rail passenger train service — a dream nurtured by the nation for decades — is finally set to arrive on the platform this year. The national rail network, connecting 11 cities across the UAE, stands as a landmark achievement made possible by the vision and determination of the country’s leadership, who imagined steel tracks carving a new path across the desert.
Major stations will be located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, with additional stops at Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Zayed City, Masirah, Al Faya and Al Dhaid. A total of 13 trains will operate the passenger service, of which 10 have already been completed and delivered to the UAE. Each train will offer 400 seats.
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Travel between emirates will soon be free from highway congestion, as Etihad Rail promises punctual, seamless journeys. Where highways once strung the emirates together like pearls on a necklace, the new steel corridor will now bind the nation even more closely, transforming the UAE into one connected metropolis.
Asaa Al Suwaidi, Executive Vice President – Passenger Services at Etihad Rail, confirmed that passenger operations on the national rail network will begin this year.
He noted that rail transport will play a vital role in strengthening the country’s economic and social framework. The freight rail system launched in 2023 has already proved highly successful, and the passenger service is another milestone achieved through collaboration across the national transport ecosystem.
To ensure world-class standards of quality, reliability and safety, Etihad Rail has partnered with leading international operators and deployed the latest rolling stock and advanced technologies. Passengers can expect a comfortable and convenient travel experience, with premium seating, modern interiors, on-board Wi-Fi and individual power outlets at every seat.
Special stations are being developed within key residential and commercial hubs such as Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, University City in Sharjah and Crescent City in Fujairah. Railway stations are under construction in all high-density areas, and each train has been certified in compliance with international safety and quality benchmarks following rigorous security checks.
The railway expects to carry around 10 million passengers annually. The entire project — from planning and design to execution — has been completed in just three years, involving more than 7,000 experts and workers who collectively contributed over 24.5 million man-hours.
Beyond transforming inter-emirate mobility, the Etihad Rail passenger service is also expected to boost domestic tourism and significantly reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector, paving the way for a greener future for the UAE.
