Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai’s Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security, join senior officials on a trial ride from Al Qudra in Dubai to Al Hilal City Station in Fujairah. ETIHAD RAIL

Etihad Rail’s long-awaited passenger service is gathering pace after a high-profile test journey from Dubai to Fujairah offered a preview of what travellers can expect when services begin in 2026. Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai’s Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security, joined senior officials on a trial ride from Al Qudra in Dubai to Al Hilal City Station in Fujairah. A video of the trip on Monday (February 9) showed the train passing through the Fujairah mountains, highlighting the dramatic scenery along the route. Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan described the rail project as one of the UAE’s most important infrastructure developments. He was accompanied by Shadi Malak, chief executive of Etihad Rail, Maj Gen Ahmed Al Maqoodi, director general of the office of the Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security, and other senior officers and Etihad Rail officials. The delegation also toured Al Hail City Station, which will be among the first stops once passenger operations begin. Etihad Rail confirmed that the first passenger routes on the 11-station network will link Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah. The three main stations on the opening route will be located in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, and in Fujairah’s Sakamkam area near Al Hilal City. Trains will run at speeds of up to 200kph and carry up to 400 passengers per journey. Travel time is expected to be 57 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and 105 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Mohammed Al Shehhi, chief projects officer at Etihad Rail, said the first phase will connect 11 cities and key locations “that have been carefully selected within key locations such as Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, University City in Sharjah and the Al Hilal area in Fujairah.” Passenger services are scheduled to launch in 2026, forming the UAE’s first fully integrated national railway system for passenger transport. A fleet of 13 modern trains built to international standards will support operations. Stations are being developed in Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira’a, Al Faya and Al Dhaid, alongside four major stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. Freight services, which began in 2023, have already delivered strong results. In 2025, Etihad Rail transported more than 6.5 million tonnes of sulphur, over 10 million tonnes of aggregates and 148,000 containers. The shift to rail removed more than 500,000 truck journeys in Al Dhafra Region, supporting road safety and reducing emissions. ICA/Expat Media
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