The Etihad Rail. ARCHIVE

Etihad Rail has signed a landmark agreement with French transport operator Keolis International, which also manages Dubai Metro, to operate its upcoming passenger train service across the UAE. The deal marks a major step toward launching the highly anticipated service, which will connect key emirates including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Passenger trains are expected to begin operations by 2026, with travel times of just 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and 105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. Etihad Rail projects that the passenger service will carry 36 million people annually by 2030, easing road congestion and supporting the UAE’s sustainability goals. Laurence Broseta, international chief executive of Keolis Group, said the company was proud to join forces with Etihad Rail. “We will leverage its advanced infrastructure alongside our expertise in launching new operations and delivering high-quality services to provide safe and sustainable mobility solutions across the country,” Broseta said. Last August, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, shared photos of his own trip on the Etihad Rail passenger train, expressing pride in a project that he said adds “a new building block to the country’s future infrastructure every day.” The new passenger line will connect 11 major cities and areas within the UAE, with plans for future expansion to Oman and potentially across the Gulf region. ICA/Expat Media
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