The United Arab Emirates has officially entered a new phase in the development of rail transport with the launch of the first passenger services operated by Etihad Rail on June 30. The first services began on 30 June 2026 between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, marking the start of the country’s first national passenger rail network.
On 23 June, Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated, during which the future passenger rail network linking the country’s main emirates was officially presented.
The first trains run between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with a journey time of one hour and 45 minutes, offering a competitive alternative to road transport. Etihad Rail described the launch as the beginning of a new era for mobility in the United Arab Emirates, with an emphasis on comfort, safety and integration with other public transport modes.
The first passenger, a citizen chosen to represent the whole nation
A symbolic moment in the launch of services on 30 June was the presence of Hamad Mansour Al Balooshi, chosen as the first passenger on the national rail service as part of a public campaign organised by the operator.
Hamad Mansoor Al Balooshi was selected as the first passenger on the new passenger rail network in the United Arab Emirates following a public campaign organised by Etihad Rail, through which residents were invited to nominate people who had distinguished themselves through their contributions to the community. The rail operator wanted to give this honour to a citizen who embodies the values of the country’s society, rather than to a public figure.
Originally from Fujairah, Hamad Mansoor Al Balooshi is known for his volunteer work and involvement in numerous community initiatives. He is regarded as an example of perseverance and civic spirit, appreciated for the positive impact he has had on those around him.
By choosing him, Etihad Rail aimed to send a symbolic message at the start of passenger rail services: the new network is intended for all citizens and communities of the United Arab Emirates, and the first seat on the train went to a person who represents those values.
Full network in 2027
The project is part of the national transport infrastructure development strategy and will eventually connect 11 cities and regions across the United Arab Emirates. The network will include stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Dhaid, Al Faya, Sila, Al Dhannah, Mirfa, Madinat Zayed and Mezaira’a.
According to the announced timetable, the stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid will enter service when the network officially launches, scheduled for 30 September 2026. Expansion will continue with the opening of stations in the Al Dhafra region by the end of the year, and the network will be completed with the inauguration of the Sharjah station in March 2027.
Services will be operated with 13 trains produced by CAF, capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h and carrying more than 360 passengers each. The trains are divided into four classes, are fully accessible and offer a range of passenger facilities, and have been designed to operate in extreme climatic conditions, with temperatures of up to 55°C.
For the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route, ticket prices start at around EUR 13 in Comfort class and rise to around EUR 28 in Premium class.
The launch of Etihad Rail passenger services marks the United Arab Emirates’ move towards an integrated national mobility system, in which the seven emirates are directly connected by rail infrastructure. The project introduces, for the first time, a nationwide intercity rail alternative, reducing dependence on road transport and strengthening links between the main urban and economic centres. In this context, the railway becomes a strategic infrastructure element designed to support travel efficiency, territorial cohesion and the long-term development of the Emirates’ transport network.
10 years since the start of the modern rail network
The national rail programme of the United Arab Emirates was launched under the “Projects of the 50” initiative, as part of a long-term strategy to develop the rail sector and strengthen connectivity between the country’s emirates. With investment of AED 50 billion (EUR 13.6 billion, at the July 2026 exchange rate), the programme is one of the state’s most important strategic infrastructure projects, aiming to create a national rail network linking the main cities and economic centres of the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond its investment impact, the programme is expected to generate economic opportunities worth AED 200 billion (EUR 54 billion, at the July 2026 exchange rate) through the development of logistics, trade and internal mobility.
The structure of the programme includes three major components: freight rail transport, passenger services and an integrated smart mobility system. The freight segment, already operational since 2016, links the Saudi Arabian border to Fujairah port, forming the logistics backbone of the network with lines totalling 1,200 km.
The third component concerns the development of an integrated smart transport system, through innovation centres and digital solutions that will connect rail transport with urban networks, port logistics and customs services, offering a unified approach to national mobility.
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