Etihad Rail confirmed on 23 June that the inaugural passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will begin on 30 June, reducing the cross-emirate journey to one hour 45 minutes. Introductory fares start at AED 55 (Comfort Class) and AED 120 (Premium), with tickets bookable on the Etihad Rail app and website from today. The initial timetable features 13 trains, each carrying up to 400 passengers and offering Wi-Fi, power outlets and dedicated luggage areas. In parallel, the Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated by the Crown Prince, who described the project as a cornerstone of the UAE’s “Projects of the 50” economic-diversification agenda. The network will expand in phases: Dubai and Al Dhaid stations open on 30 September, Al Dhafra on 30 December, and Sharjah in March 2027. Seamless intermodal links with metro, tram and bus systems are planned to create true door-to-door connectivity. For corporate mobility teams, the line offers a credible alternative to road or short-haul air travel for staff shuttling between Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s outskirts and Fujairah’s free-zone clusters. Travel-policy writers may wish to add rail as a preferred-mode option for trips under 300 km, mirroring European sustainability rules. The predictable travel time also supports just-in-time supply-chain meetings; Fujairah’s port operators expect faster crew changes and executive visits. Employee-relations specialists note that Comfort-Class pricing undercuts fuel and toll costs for private cars, potentially easing the carbon footprint of daily commuting once intermediate stops open. Larger rolling stock and station real-estate also create new advertising and retail leasing opportunities for consumer brands targeting a captive, high-income passenger base. The passenger debut comes 18 months after Etihad Rail inaugurated nationwide freight operations. Industry observers believe momentum on passenger services could accelerate GCC-wide rail integration talks, laying groundwork for a future Riyadh–Abu Dhabi–Dubai corridor that would further reshape regional mobility patterns.
Source: Gulf News
