Overview
- Etihad Rail opened passenger operations on June 30 with three daily round trips linking Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi to Al Hilal City in Fujairah, reducing travel time between the emirates to roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- The passenger fleet of 13 trains is in service and tickets are on sale with a 50% introductory discount, with Comfort fares from Dhs55 and Premium from Dhs120 and booking available via the Etihad Rail website and app.
- Commercial operations are scheduled to start on September 30, 2026 when Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Al Dhaid stations will open, followed by Al Dhafra stations on December 30, 2026 and Sharjah University City on March 30, 2027.
- Local preparatory works have already begun to ready new stations, including a Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority traffic diversion between University City and Ard Al Maahid from July 4 to August 23 to build access roads.
- The passenger phase builds on a freight-first project started in 2009 and is intended to strengthen east–west connectivity, cut road freight and emissions over time, and offer commuters a faster, more productive alternative to long drives as early passengers report time savings and onboard amenities.