Etihad Rail Confirms 2030 Passenger Service Launch to Connect 11 UAE Cities

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its passenger rail services will be fully operational across the UAE by 2030. The announcement, made during the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, outlines the timeline for a network designed to transport 36.5 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. Network Expansion and Key Locations The national rail operator revealed that the first passenger station will be located in Sakani, Abu Dhabi. This hub will be part of a broader network connecting 11 cities and regions across the Emirates, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah on the east coast. Once the service is active, travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is expected to be reduced to 50 minutes, while a trip from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take approximately 100 minutes. The passenger trains are engineered to reach speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. Each train will have a seating capacity of approximately 400 passengers, offering travel classes including first, business, and economy. This infrastructure follows the completion of the 900-kilometre freight network, which began full operations in February 2023. Strategic…