Etihad Rail has moved into the ultimate stage of preparations for the launch of passenger companies later this 12 months, marking a decisive shift within the UAE’s long-running plan to construct a nationwide rail system linking main cities, ports, industrial centres and residential hubs.
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, reviewed progress on the corporate’s freight and passenger operations throughout a gathering at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi with Chief Government Shadi Malak, senior leaders and staff. The assessment coated the corporate’s operational readiness, the growth of its logistics companies ecosystem and its strategic plans for the approaching years.
The passenger service is scheduled to start operations in phases in 2026, with preliminary routes forming the spine of a wider nationwide community. The challenge is meant to strengthen connectivity throughout the emirates, cut back dependence on highway transport and assist the UAE’s wider sustainable mobility agenda. As soon as absolutely developed, the passenger community is anticipated to attach 11 cities and areas by stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira’a, Al Faya and Al Dhaid.
The corporate’s passenger fleet will encompass 13 trains designed to worldwide requirements, with every practice anticipated to hold as much as 400 passengers. The trains are being ready with trendy interiors, Wi-Fi, energy shops and onboard services supposed to place rail as a sensible various for intercity journey. Ten trains have already arrived for testing and certification, forming a key a part of the readiness programme forward of economic operations.
Etihad Rail’s passenger plans construct on the completion of the 900km nationwide railway community, which stretches from Ghuwaifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast. The community hyperlinks all seven emirates and connects industrial zones, ports, logistics centres and inhabitants hubs, giving the UAE a rail hall designed for each freight and passenger visitors.
Freight operations stay central to the corporate’s present efficiency. The community started nationwide freight companies in 2023 after earlier operations on the Shah-Habshan-Ruwais route, which transported granulated sulphur to export services at Ruwais. Freight volumes have grown strongly, with greater than 6.5 million tonnes of sulphur, over 10 million tonnes of aggregates and 148,000 containers transported in 2025. The shift of bulk cargo and containers to rail has additionally eliminated greater than 500,000 truck journeys in Al Dhafra, easing stress on roads and enhancing transport effectivity.
Throughout the assembly, Sheikh Theyab additionally reviewed the work of the Public Coverage Integration for Truck and Rail Committee, led by Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director Normal of Abu Dhabi Customs. The committee contains representatives from the Ministry of Inside, Etihad Rail and Abu Dhabi Police. Eleven initiatives are being superior to enhance integration between highway freight and rail operations, with 4 already applied.
The passenger rail rollout comes because the UAE seeks to deepen integration between residential, industrial and industrial centres. Rail is anticipated to chop journey instances on key routes, assist home tourism and supply a extra predictable various to highway journey, significantly as city development locations heavier calls for on highways between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and the northern emirates.
Etihad Rail can be engaged on wider regional connectivity. Hafeet Rail, the deliberate UAE-Oman cross-border railway challenge, has reached 30 per cent completion. The challenge is designed to attach the UAE community with Sohar in Oman, supporting passenger motion, commerce flows and logistics hyperlinks between the 2 international locations. It is without doubt one of the most carefully watched regional rail initiatives as Gulf states revive plans for a broader GCC railway community.
