Etihad Rail records 120,000 passenger trips in debut month across UAE network

Etihad Rail has sold 120,000 tickets on its national passenger rail network during the first 30 days of operations, the company announced on Friday.

The tickets were sold between 30 September and 30 October, the period immediately following the official launch of services connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah.

Strong uptake reflects growing public trust

Adhraa Almansoori, Executive Director of Commercial and Support at Etihad Rail Mobility, said the figures showed residents were increasingly choosing rail travel between emirates.

“Our ambition is for passenger rail to become a natural part of everyday life, and a trusted choice that people return to time and again for comfortable, safe and reliable travel,” she said.

Almansoori added that the strong response during the first month reflected passengers’ confidence in the new mode of transport and reinforced the company’s commitment to continuously improving its services. “In doing so, we are contributing to the vision of our wise leadership to transform mobility across the UAE,” she said.

Integrated transport links at stations

Etihad Rail offers a range of integrated transport options to and from its stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah, in partnership with other transport service providers, to ease passengers’ journeys to their final destinations.

At Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station, a dedicated pedestrian bridge connects directly to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, giving passengers access to destinations along the Red Line. In Abu Dhabi, direct shuttle buses run from Mohamed bin Zayed City Station to key locations including ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche, ADNEC Centre, Reem Mall, and hotels and attractions across Yas Island. Additional services are available through providers at stations across the network, including Al Dhaid and Fujairah.

Phased opening and future stations

In the introductory phase, Etihad Rail opened stations in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 30 June. The addition of Dubai Al Yalayis Station and Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah on 30 September marked the official launch of the UAE’s national passenger rail network, linking all four cities through a single network.

Over the coming months, stations in Liwa, Madinat Zayed and across the Al Dhafra Region are expected to open. The final station on the first phase of the rail network will be located near University City in Sharjah, with operations expected to begin in early 2027.