The United Arab Emirates has unveiled its long-awaited passenger rail network, with the first Etihad Rail passenger service set to begin operations between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30, marking a major milestone in the country’s transport infrastructure development.

The launch timeline was announced as Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi.

The introductory phase of the network will begin with services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, reducing travel time between the two emirates to as little as one hour and 45 minutes and offering a faster alternative to road transport.

Demand for the inaugural journeys has been strong, with most tickets for the opening day already sold out shortly after bookings opened.

Premium-class seats on several services were fully booked, while limited Comfort Class tickets remained available on selected departures.

The wider passenger rail network will be rolled out in phases.

Train stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid are scheduled to open on September 30, followed by Al Dhafra on December 30. The final phase of the initial rollout will be completed with the opening of Sharjah Train Station on March 30, 2027.

During a tour of the new station, Sheikh Khaled reviewed operational readiness, passenger information systems and future expansion plans. He said the project reflects the UAE’s vision of building a fully integrated transport network that strengthens connectivity between emirates while supporting tourism, investment and economic growth.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, described the passenger railway as a transformative addition to the country’s transport system, combining advanced technology and modern mobility solutions to provide safe, efficient and convenient travel.

The passenger railway is part of the UAE Railway Programme, launched in 2021 under the Projects of the 50 initiative. The programme aims to create an integrated transport ecosystem linking passenger, freight and multimodal transport services across the country.

Passenger operations will be managed by Etihad Rail Passenger Services, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and international transport operator Keolis.

The initial fleet will comprise 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers. Launch fares on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route start at AED55 for Comfort Class and AED120 for Premium Class.

The network is expected to eventually span about 900 kilometres and carry up to 36 million passengers annually by 2030, helping reduce road congestion and supporting the UAE’s sustainability goals.

Stations across the network will feature cafés, restaurants, retail outlets and hospitality facilities, while future expansion studies will assess extending rail services to additional emirates as part of the UAE’s long-term sustainable mobility strategy.