Etihad Rail to Begin Passenger Services in 2026 With Phased Rollout

Passenger train services on the UAE’s national railway network are set to begin in 2026, with a phased rollout connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai before extending to Fujairah. The services will be operated by Etihad Rail, with route planning based on population density, demand, and connectivity priorities between emirates.
Officials said the passenger rollout will take place in gradual stages to ensure operational safety and reliability. The expansion builds on the company’s freight operations, which have recorded continued growth since their launch in 2023.
In 2026, the network transported around 1.8 million tonnes of sulphur, more than 4 million tonnes of aggregates, and over 129,000 containers. According to Etihad Rail, these operations have reduced road congestion by removing more than 340,000 truck journeys, while lowering carbon emissions by between 70% and 80% per trip.
Freight trains operate on dedicated corridors with fixed schedules, with each train capable of carrying the equivalent of around 300 heavy trucks.
The railway network connects key infrastructure points across the UAE, including Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali Port, and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, alongside a wider network of logistics hubs through 11 stations.