Hamad Mansoor Al Balooshi on Etihad Rail's maiden trip on June 30, 2026. WAM

When Hamad Mansoor Al Balooshi stepped aboard the UAE's first passenger train on Tuesday (June 30), he wasn't simply taking a seat. He was making history. The Emirati person of determination became the first official passenger to occupy Seat 1 in Carriage 1 on the inaugural Etihad Rail service, marking the beginning of the UAE's first nationwide passenger railway network. Al Balooshi earned the distinction after being selected through Etihad Rail's nationwide campaign, "The Passenger Who Represents Us All," which invited people across the UAE to nominate individuals who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteerism, generosity and public service. He was chosen in recognition of his outstanding community service, joining hundreds of passengers who took part in the landmark journey from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi. Reflecting on the experience, Al Balooshi said he realised the significance of the moment as soon as he sat down. "When I sat in the first seat of the first carriage, I realised this was not just my journey. It was the starting point for millions of journeys that will follow on the passenger train, and it is an honour I will never forget." He said the recognition went beyond his personal achievements. "I was nominated because of my contributions to the community, but today I feel that I represent everyone who believes in the future of this country. To occupy Seat No. 1 on the inaugural passenger train is a privilege that words cannot describe."

Historic inaugural journey

Al Balooshi was among hundreds of passengers who boarded the historic service, many of whom described the experience as a milestone in the UAE's transport history. Among the inaugural passengers was UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The inaugural passenger service departed Al Hilal City station in Fujairah at 5:34am and arrived at Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7:19am, several minutes ahead of schedule after completing the journey in approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Passengers were welcomed with traditional Emirati performances and Arabic coffee before boarding, while complimentary breakfast, tea and chocolates were served during the journey. Travelling at speeds of up to 200km/h, the train passed landmarks including Dubai World Central and Zayed Military City before reaching Abu Dhabi. The first return service from Abu Dhabi departed at 8:19am, marking the start of regular two-way passenger operations.

Etihad Rail rares and future expansion

Etihad Rail said introductory fares start at Dh55 for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class. Comfort Class includes reserved seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, charging outlets and luggage storage, while Premium Class offers wider seats and complimentary refreshments. The Fujairah-Abu Dhabi route is the first phase of the UAE's national passenger rail network. Future expansion will include: • September 30, 2026: Services to Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Al Dhaid. • December 30, 2026: Stations in Al Dhafra begin operations. • March 30, 2027: Sharjah University City station opens. Once completed, the network will connect major cities, economic centres and tourism destinations across the UAE, with authorities also studying future expansion into additional emirates. Tickets are available through the Etihad Rail mobile app and etihadrail.ae. ICA/Expat Media
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