His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday, took a test journey aboard the Etihad Rail passenger train, travelling from Dubai to Fujairah to inspect progress on the national rail network.
The Etihad Rail passenger service is slated to begin operations in 2026 and aims to connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE - from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. By 2030, it is expected to carry 36 million passengers annually.
On his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed wrote: “We have made the journey from Dubai to Fujairah...The train will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE…with a speed of 200 km/h. It is expected to carry 36 million passengers annually by 2030.” He added his pride for “a nation that never stops working…adds a new brick to its future infrastructure every single day”.
خلال رحلة من دبي للفجيرة بقطار الاتحاد للركاب .. القطار سيربط بين 11 مدينة ومنطقة في الدولة من السلع للفجيرة .. بسرعة 200 كم/ساعة . وسيسهم بنقل 36 مليون مسافر بحلول 2030 .. وسيبدأ تشغيله العام القادم باذن الله .
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 2, 2025
فخور بمشاريعنا الوطنية .. وفخور بفريق عمل قطارات الاتحاد الذي… pic.twitter.com/5U1DOmxBXS
Passenger trains will be capable of speeds up to 200 km/h, accommodating up to 400 passengers per trip, significantly reducing travel times - from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in approximately 57 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in roughly 105 minutes.
The initial four passenger rail stations have been identified in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. The Dubai station is expected near Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Fujairah’s in Sakamkam, while Sharjah’s will be close to its airport and University City.
This phase forms part of the broader AED50 billion National Railways Programme, projected to deliver Dh200 billion in economic benefits over the next 50 years, including savings from improved logistics, accident reduction, urban planning enhancements, and tourism growth.
The network is also expected to cut annual transport emissions by 21 per cent by 2050, equivalent to removing over 8 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.
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