UAE: The UAE prepares to launch Etihad Rail passenger services in 2026, promising faster journeys across 900km linking 11 emirates, with trains reaching 200 km/h and cutting travel times dramatically, supporting over 36 million passengers yearly by 2030 in a major boost to sustainable transport and economic growth.
Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway project, is poised to revolutionise public transport in the country with the launch of its passenger services scheduled for 2026. This significant milestone was recently commemorated when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, undertook a symbolic journey aboard the Etihad Passenger Train from Dubai to Fujairah. This journey not only showcased the progress of the project but underscored the UAE’s dedication to sustainable transport and enhanced regional connectivity.
The ambitious railway network will eventually span approximately 900 kilometres, connecting 11 key cities and regions across the UAE, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. The trains are designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h, offering a swift, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional road travel. Such high speeds will translate into transformative travel times, with journeys like Abu Dhabi to Dubai reduced to about 50 minutes, and trips from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah expected to take around 100 minutes in the future.
Once operational, the passenger railway is forecasted to serve over 36 million passengers annually by 2030, marking a profound shift in the UAE’s public transportation landscape. This growth aligns with the nation’s wider sustainability ambitions and its vision for the development of long-term infrastructure that supports economic expansion while reducing ecological impacts. Sheikh Mohammed articulated his pride in the project and its team, emphasising the national commitment to continually building a future-ready infrastructure.
The Etihad Rail initiative forms a key part of the broader UAE Railway Program, which also includes freight rail services and the integration of smart transport solutions. Plans are in place to establish an innovation centre focused on smart transportation technology, which will facilitate connections between the passenger rail network and other modes of transport, including light rail systems within cities. This integration aims to enhance convenience through intelligent trip planning, booking applications, and streamlined logistics operations, encompassing ports and customs services.
Passenger train services will feature a variety of seating classes including first class, business, and economy, with each train capable of seating over 400 passengers. While the full network will take time to complete, the first passenger train station is planned for Sakamkam in Fujairah city, followed by additional stations in Sharjah near University City, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Future expansions are also anticipated, including a high-speed rail project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi that could cut travel times further, potentially reducing the journey to just 30 minutes.
Overall, Etihad Rail represents a major stride towards uniting the UAE’s emirates through a state-of-the-art, integrated railway network that not only supports economic growth but also promotes a low-carbon future. This project epitomises the UAE’s ambition to develop world-class transport infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of its people and businesses.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.muscatdaily.com/2025/08/03/sheikh-mohammed-rides-etihad-rails-first-passenger-train/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/transport/etihad-rail-passenger-train-service-launch-2026 – Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway project, is set to launch passenger services in 2026. The network will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, covering approximately 900 km. Trains are designed to operate at speeds up to 200 km/h, offering a fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport. Once operational, the passenger railway is expected to transport around 36.5 million people annually by 2030, marking a transformative shift in public transport across the UAE. The initiative supports the UAE’s broader sustainability goals and vision for long-term infrastructure development.
- https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/august/02-08/mohammed-bin-rashid-boards-etihad-rail-passenger-train – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, embarked on a passenger train journey between Dubai and Fujairah to review the progress of Etihad Rail. This journey marks a historic milestone in the development of the UAE’s national railway network, with passenger services expected to commence in 2026. Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the project’s significance as a vital economic artery supporting the UAE’s future vision and its role in building an integrated transport network that strengthens the nation’s position as a leading logistics hub.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/sheikh-mohammed-takes-etihad-rail-ride-from-dubai-to-fujairah-inspects-progress-of-the-project-1.500220139 – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, boarded an Etihad Rail passenger train from Dubai to Fujairah on a test ride to inspect the progress of the country’s first national passenger rail network, set to begin operations in 2026. The train, which will eventually link 11 cities and regions across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, will operate at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour and is expected to serve 36 million passengers annually by 2030.
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/uae-vice-president-sheikh-mohammed-takes-first-passenger-ride-on-etihad-rail-between-dubai-and-fujairah/articleshow/123067724.cms – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, shared photos of his journey aboard the Etihad Rail passenger train between Dubai and Fujairah, calling it a memorable ride. During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the project’s progress and key construction milestones. Speaking about Etihad Rail, he said: ‘Etihad Rail is a vital economic artery that supports the UAE’s journey to the future. It is a key pillar in our vision to build an integrated transport network that strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading logistics hub, while facilitating the movement of people and goods.’
- https://www.etihadrail.ae/en/post/mohammed-bin-rashid-and-mohamed-bin-zayed-launch-uae-rail-program – The UAE Railway Program includes three key projects; the first project is the Freight Rail, which includes the Etihad Rail freight services. The second project is the Rail Passenger Services that aim to connect 11 cities with the UAE from Al Sila to Fujairah. At a speed of 200 km/h, the Rail Passenger will connect 11 cities within the UAE, where passengers can travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes. By 2030, the number of passengers is expected to reach more than 36.5 million annually. The third project is the Integrated Transportation Service, where an innovation center will be established to ensure the integration of the smart transportation solutions. A network of light rail will be connected to the Rail Passenger System to facilitate transportation inside UAE cities. Additionally, smart applications and solutions will also be developed to allow planning and booking trips, integrating logistics operations, port and customs services, and providing integrated logistics solutions.
- https://www.timeoutdubai.com/news/etihad-rail-passenger-service-2026 – While the passenger service is expected to launch in 2026, it is unclear whether or not all planned locations will be available on day one. Every train will seat over 400 passengers and will run up to 200 km per hour. There will be a variety of seating segments to choose from including first class, business class and economy. The 900 km-long Etihad Rail passenger train network will connect 11 cities across the seven emirates in the UAE. The first passenger train station will be built in Sakamkam, Fujairah, at the heart of Fujairah city. In March 2024, it was also announced that the second passenger station will be constructed near the University City of Sharjah. The other two emirates to initially be included in the Etihad Rail passenger service will be Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It will stretch from Al Sila to Fujairah including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. As part of plans related to expanding Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, it was revealed that an Etihad Rail passenger station will be located nearby. Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from Dubai to Fujairah will only take 50 minutes each in the future on the national service. Earlier in 2025, it was revealed that a high-speed rail project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is also in the pipeline, which will reduce travel times to just 30 minutes.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being August 2, 2025. The content is original, with no evidence of recycling or republishing across low-quality sites. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. There are no discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes compared to earlier versions. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are unique to this narrative, with no identical quotes appearing in earlier material. The wording matches the original statements made by Sheikh Mohammed.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Muscat Daily, a reputable news outlet in Oman. While it is not as widely known as some other international outlets, it is a legitimate source with a public presence. The information is corroborated by other reputable sources, including Gulf News and The National.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The time-sensitive claims regarding the launch of passenger services in 2026 and the expected annual passenger numbers by 2030 are consistent across sources. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, but this is mitigated by the corroboration from other sources. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, and there is no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for an official announcement.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and supported by reputable sources. The quotes are unique and consistent with the original statements. The source is reliable, and the claims made are plausible and corroborated by other reputable outlets. There are no significant credibility risks identified.
