History in Motion

On August 2, 2025, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai—embarked on a test passenger ride from Dubai to Fujairah aboard the Etihad Rail. This marked a dramatic shift from freight to passenger service.

Ambitious Scope

The UAE’s Dh50 billion National Railways Programme seeks to link 11 cities—from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east—facilitating travel at speeds up to 200 km/h. Annual ridership is forecasted to hit 36 million by 2030.

Key routes will slash travel times: Abu Dhabi to Dubai in around 57 minutes, and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in just 105 minutes.

Strategic Benefits

Over five decades, the project is projected to deliver Dh200 billion in economic benefits—covering travel time savings, reduced road accidents, and urban development.

The rail network also supports environmental targets—eliminating up to 300 trucks per trip, and cutting land transport emissions by 21% annually by 2050 (equivalent to 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂).

A Symbol of Unity and Progress

Sheikh Mohammed called Etihad Rail “a vital economic artery… a symbol of our ment to advancing strategic national projects.”

Integration & Vision

Etihad Rail plans to mesh with existing transit modes—metro, trams, under-construction Blue Line, and future feeder systems—for a fully integrated mobility ecosystem.

Socioeconomic Ripple Effects

Beyond transport efficiency, the rail promises to boost domestic tourism (Dh24 billion over 50 years), reduce road wear (saving Dh8 billion in maintenance), and add urban value (Dh23 billion).

The Road Ahead

With commercial passenger operations slated for 2026, Etihad Rail stands at the brink of operational transformation. As Dubai and the UAE expand their urban footprint, this project will be foundational in shaping mobility, sustainability, and inter-emirate unity.