Etihad Rail passenger service begins across three emirates

Etihad Rail began passenger service between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on September 30, opening the Dubai station two days earlier as part of the launch of the United Arab Emirates’ national passenger rail network. The first Dubai-Abu Dhabi train completed its inaugural journey, and the routes give passengers a new option for travel between the emirates. The Dubai-Abu Dhabi journey takes 64 minutes, while the Dubai-Fujairah trip takes 70 minutes, according to published route information. Tickets are available through Etihad Rail’s mobile application, website and station vending machines. The announced starting fares for Dubai-Abu Dhabi are AED 39 for Comfort Class and AED 109 for Premium Class. A pre-launch schedule listed Dubai-Fujairah fares starting at AED 29 and AED 89, respectively. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan travelled from Abu Dhabi to Dubai aboard the train before the station’s inauguration on September 28. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Rail, inaugurated the station.