UAE to launch first passenger rail service June 30

The United Arab Emirates will launch its first passenger rail service on June 30, marking a historic step in creating a national transport network. The inaugural route will connect Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, reducing travel time between the two emirates to one hour and 45 minutes.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 23, during the inauguration of the Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Sheikh Khaled toured the station's facilities and reviewed its operational readiness ahead of the service launch.

The passenger network will be expanded in phases. Stations at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and Al Dhaid are scheduled to open on September 30, followed by stations in the Al Dhafra region on December 30. The Sharjah University City station is expected to begin operations on March 30, 2027, completing the first phase of the network, which will connect four of the UAE's seven emirates.

The fleet consists of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers. Passenger operations will be managed by Etihad Rail Passenger Services, a...