In a big step toward modernizing travel in the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, took a train ride on the new Etihad Rail passenger service between Dubai and Fujairah. This marks a major milestone in the development of the Etihad Rail project, which aims to start full passenger services by 2026.
A Vision for the Future
Sheikh Mohammed shared pictures of his journey on social media, calling it a “memorable ride.” He was welcomed by the Etihad Rail team, including senior executives, who gave him updates on the progress of the project.
خلال رحلة من دبي للفجيرة بقطار الاتحاد للركاب .. القطار سيربط بين 11 مدينة ومنطقة في الدولة من السلع للفجيرة .. بسرعة 200 كم/ساعة . وسيسهم بنقل 36 مليون مسافر بحلول 2030 .. وسيبدأ تشغيله العام القادم باذن الله .
فخور بمشاريعنا الوطنية .. وفخور بفريق عمل قطارات الاتحاد الذي… pic.twitter.com/5U1DOmxBXS
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 2, 2025
He praised Etihad Rail as a key project for the country’s future. He said the railway will help the UAE become a leading hub for transportation and logistics, making it easier for both people and goods to move around. He also noted the project’s benefits for the economy, environment, and overall quality of life.
About the Etihad Rail Network
Etihad Rail is a massive railway project that will connect different parts of the UAE and also link the country to its neighbors, like Saudi Arabia and Oman. The entire network will be 1,200 km long and is expected to cost around AED 40 billion (approximately $11 billion).
Key locations the rail will connect include:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Al Ain
- Ruwais
- Ghuweifat (Saudi border)
- Sohar (Oman, via another rail link)
The project is being developed in two phases:
- Phase One (launched in 2016): Focused on freight, mainly transporting sulphur.
- Phase Two (started in 2020): Expands the network to include passenger travel and more freight routes.
Passenger Rail – A New Way to Travel
The passenger service, expected to begin in 2026, will cover about 900 km and connect 11 major cities across all seven emirates. These cities include:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Fujairah
- Al Ain
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Al Mirfa
- Al Sila
- Al Dhaid
- Ghuweifat
- Ruwais
At first, the trains will stop at four main stations: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Each train can carry up to 400 passengers and will run at speeds up to 200 km/h. By 2030, the railway expects to serve 36.5 million passengers a year.
This new train system will offer a fast, comfortable, and eco-friendly way to travel across the UAE. It supports the country’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and aims to reduce traffic on the roads.
Read more: Indian Railways Plans to Boost Income Beyond Ticket Sales – NITI Aayog Steps In
Strong Support from UAE Leaders
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, highlighted the importance of Sheikh Mohammed’s support. He said the Vice President’s involvement shows how seriously the UAE’s leaders take national development projects like this one.
Recently, Sheikh Mohammed also made surprise visits to public transport services, including the Dubai Metro and Tram, to see how things are working firsthand. This shows his strong commitment to staying involved in the country’s development and improving life for everyone.
