Etihad Rail on Thursday introduced a number of extra passenger railway stations for the service that is because of launch this yr.
Additional stations can be in Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezairaa and Al Faya in Abu Dhabi emirate with one other at Al Dhaid in Sharjah.
Etihad Rail additionally introduced for the primary time the exact areas of the 4 beforehand introduced passenger stations.
And they are going to be positioned at Mohamed bin Zayed Metropolis in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, College Metropolis in Sharjah and the Al Hilal space in Fujairah.
The passenger service is to launch in 2026 and Etihad Rail stated ten of the 13 trains within the fleet had arrived, however a agency launch date was not offered.
Etihad Rail stated the stations will “grow to be operational in phases” through the yr.
It was not instantly clear if extra stations can be added in future.
Azza Al Suwaidi, deputy chief government of Etihad Rail Mobility, stated the community will function a “cornerstone of the UAE’s nationwide transport ecosystem, supporting the nation’s long-term improvement and strengthening connectivity throughout its Emirates”.
“Our trains could have a distinctly Emirati id that strengthens nationwide cohesion, whereas serving as a long-term funding within the nation’s transport and infrastructure sectors,” stated Ms Al Suwaidi.
“These strategic tasks will increase home tourism and set up a brand new regional customary for sustainable, folks‑centred mobility, enhancing neighborhood wellbeing and bettering high quality of life,” she stated.
The transfer brings the long-awaited passenger service a vital step nearer, bolstering connectivity throughout the UAE.
Etihad Rail stated the trains have been designed to supply a “comfy and fashionable journey expertise” and can characteristic secure and ergonomic seating, up to date inside designs, full Wi-Fi protection and particular person energy retailers at each seat.
It stated that providers will function on a “exact and common schedule, that ensures clean and speedy journey between cities, free from highway congestion”.
Mohammed Al Shehii, chief tasks officer at Etihad Rail, stated the community in its first part will join 11 cities and areas that “have been rigorously chosen inside key areas reminiscent of Mohamed bin Zayed Metropolis in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, College Metropolis in Sharjah and the Al Hilal space in Fujairah”.
“Our trains have been designed to supply a dependable, congestion-free different for intercity journey, with a deal with lowering journey occasions,” he stated.
Mr Al Shehii stated ten of the 13 trains in our fleet have arrived, the place they’ve been “examined and licensed to the best worldwide security and high quality requirements”.
“Every practice can accommodate as much as 400 passengers and can be operated utilizing the newest techniques to make sure reliability and safety. Our providers can be seamlessly built-in into the broader transport community, with stations related to different modes of transport.”
Mr Al Shehii stated this achievement is the results of three years of intensive planning, design and supply, with whole working hours reaching 24.5 million and the involvement of greater than 7,000 consultants and employees.
Etihad Rail passenger service on observe for 2026 launch
The community goals to hyperlink key areas, commerce hubs, training centres, and residential and business areas because the UAE’s inhabitants surges, whereas additionally boosting tourism, easing congestion and bettering sustainability.
Etihad Rail was established in 2009, with freight operations in Abu Dhabi emirate starting a number of years later.
Ms Al Suwaidi stated Thursday’s announcement builds on Etihad Rail’s “confirmed success” since 2023 in working the nationwide freight rail service.
“This nationwide milestone is the results of shut collaboration amongst all companions and stakeholders, pushed by distinctive nationwide expertise and underpinned by international finest practices,” she stated.
“In parallel, we’ve geared up the community with a next-generation fleet and superior applied sciences, in partnership with main worldwide operators, to make sure the best requirements of high quality, reliability and security.”
Etihad Rail final yr additionally introduced particulars of a high-speed passenger railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Whereas a launch date was not given, the brand new line goals to chop the journey time between the 2 emirates to half-hour.
