Commercial services linking Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah begin September 30, with direct Dubai Metro integration and ticket fares starting at AED 39.
DUBAI, Sept. 28, 2026 : UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled aboard Etihad Rail from Abu Dhabi to Dubai on Monday, ushering in the official activation of the country’s national passenger rail network ahead of full commercial operations this week.
The presidential journey culminated in the formal inauguration of Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station, attended by Dubai Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Etihad Rail Chairman Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Commercial passenger operations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah are scheduled to commence on Wednesday, September 30. Booking systems opened immediately across the carrier’s digital platforms and on-site automated kiosks, with standard Comfort Class fares starting at AED 39 and Premium Class seats priced from AED 109.
During the transit from the capital, President Sheikh Mohamed inspected onboard passenger amenities, network control procedures, and operational readiness benchmarks. Upon reaching Dubai, the President met Emirati operational teams and engineers who spearheaded the transition from a freight-dominated network into an active intercity transit corridor.
“Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station serves as a strategic gateway linking Dubai with the nation’s capital and the northern emirates,” Sheikh Hamdan said following an inspection tour of the hub. He noted that absorbing passenger rail into Dubai’s existing logistical matrix expands economic productivity, simplifies inter-emirate transit, and accommodates future urban density targets.
The newly commissioned Dubai terminal functions as an intermodal exchange hub. A dedicated pedestrian bridge connects the terminal directly to the Dubai Metro network via the Jumeirah Golf Estates station.
Under an operational agreement between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), ticketing is integrated with Dubai’s Nol transit platform. Passengers can move between long-distance passenger rail, local metro lines, city tram systems, and feeder buses using a unified QR code.
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored that completing the passenger network fulfills a core directive under the federal “Projects of the 50” blueprint.
“In less than five years, this initiative has transformed into an integrated national network linking population centers and commercial centers across the Emirates,” Sheikh Theyab said, adding that route trials between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah revealed sustained public demand for non-highway regional travel.
Network passenger operations are managed through Etihad Rail Mobility, an operating joint venture established with international transit operator Keolis. The operating agreement covers passenger services, safety protocol oversight, rolling stock maintenance, and customer journey logistics across all passenger stations.
The ceremony drew several senior officials, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, and Etihad Rail Chief Executive Officer Shadi Malak.
Passenger trains on the network run at operational speeds up to 200 km/h, reducing commute times across major regional industrial and business nodes while providing an alternative to the E11 and E311 highway corridors.
