Train Journey Marks Notable Achievement as Sheikh Mohammed Travels on Etihad Rail from Dubai to Fujairah; Capable of Accommodating 400 Passengers
The Etihad Rail project, a transformative initiative empowering mobility within the UAE and the region, is gearing up for its passenger service launch in 2026. This groundbreaking development promises significant improvements in travel times, economic benefits, and environmental impact.
The anticipated travel times between key cities are impressive. For instance, the journey between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is expected to take under 60 minutes, with speeds of up to 200 km/hr, marking a dramatic shift in daily commuting and intercity travel across the country. Similarly, the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah is projected to be approximately 105 minutes, a reduction of around one hour.
Economically, Etihad Rail is expected to boost tourism, particularly on the UAE’s east coast, such as Fujairah, by making previously less accessible areas reachable within shorter travel times. The project will also stimulate business efficiency, property value growth, and job creation, acting as a lever for economic diversification away from oil dependence and enhancing commerce and logistics.
From an environmental perspective, the electric-powered trains are designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions. The UAE Railway Programme aims to cut 70% to 80% of carbon emissions over the next 50 years, aligning tightly with national sustainability and climate goals.
The Etihad Rail infrastructure rollout is projected to yield AED 200 billion in economic benefits over five decades. The train line, when fully operational, will link 11 cities and regions across the UAE, offering seamless integration with metro, bus, and taxi networks at stations in major cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, supporting a unified public transport system.
The anticipated annual ridership of over 36.5 million passengers by 2030 is expected to lead to substantial reductions in road traffic congestion and pollution. Furthermore, the rail project is expected to save billions in travel time, lower road accidents, improve land use, and decrease maintenance costs.
Recently, a passenger train ride along the Etihad Rail route between Dubai and Fujairah marked a significant turning point in the UAE's shift toward a modern, integrated rail network. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, conducted the event, expressing pride in the UAE's national projects and its continually working nation.
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the leadership's enduring support for the Etihad Rail project, emphasizing its transformative role in the UAE's commitment to unifying its cities and leading in sustainable infrastructure. The Etihad Rail passenger service marks a transformative leap in this commitment, offering a fast, green, and economically transformative transport project.
The event signified a major milestone in the progress of the Dh 50 billion National Railways Program, offering a firsthand look at the progress being made on this ambitious project. With speeds of up to 200 km/h, the train line, when fully operational, will operate at speeds that will revolutionize travel within the UAE, while also significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Emission reductions from the rail project are expected to slash land-transport carbon by up to 21% annually by 2050, eliminating 8.2 million tonnes of CO2 each year. This commitment to sustainability and connectivity is at the heart of the Etihad Rail project, which is set to redefine mobility in the UAE starting in 2026.
- The Etihad Rail passenger service, launching in 2026, will offer a sustainable and transformative transport solution, reducing travel times significantly between key cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah, while also contributing to a 70% to 80% reduction in carbon emissions as part of the UAE's commitment to sustainable living and climate goals.
- As a part of the Etihad Rail project, the integration of the train line with metro, bus, and taxi networks at stations in major cities will not only create a unified public transport system but also encourage a shift away from personal vehicles, positively impacting lifestyles by reducing road traffic congestion and pollution.
- The expected annual ridership of over 36.5 million passengers by 2030 will contribute to AED 200 billion in economic benefits over five decades, with the Etihad Rail infrastructure connecting 11 cities and regions across the UAE, promoting sustainable living through reduced carbon emissions, and setting a benchmark for the development of an eco-friendly home-and-garden industry in the region.
