The UAE’s first national passenger rail service began operations on Tuesday, with Etihad Rail welcoming its first paying passengers aboard a scheduled service connecting Fujairah and Abu Dhabi.
The inaugural departure left Fujairah Station at 5:34am and arrived at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi at 7:19am, marking the start of what the company describes as an introductory operational phase. Six passenger services are scheduled to run on the first day.
Demand ahead of launch has been strong. More than 10,000 tickets were sold after bookings opened, according to Etihad Rail. Passengers on the service have access to guaranteed seating, onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, generous luggage allowances, and a Premium Class offering.
To extend the journey beyond the station, Etihad Rail said it is working with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre to connect passenger rail with buses, taxis, and other mobility services across the capital.
“Every great piece of national infrastructure has two beginnings: the day it is built, and the day people begin making it their own. Today, with the support and guidance of our wise leadership, we embark on that second beginning. The first departure from Fujairah this morning is the moment a national vision becomes part of everyday life, giving people a new way to connect with one another, with opportunity and with the places that make our country so unique. Years from now, today’s passengers will be able to say they were there at the very beginning,” Azza Alsuwaidi, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Rail said in a statement.
“The journey doesn’t end when passengers step off the train. It continues all the way to their final destination. That is why our partnership with Etihad Rail is so important. Together, we have integrated passenger rail with Abu Dhabi’s wider public transport network, making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to continue their journeys using buses, taxis and other mobility services. Another important step towards delivering a smarter, more connected and more sustainable transport system that offers people greater choice while supporting Abu Dhabi’s long-term mobility vision,” Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre added.
Tickets remain available through the Etihad Rail website and mobile application.
