Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national rail network, launched passenger services between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah on September 30 following the inauguration of the Dubai Station two days earlier.

It marks the official launch of the UAE’s national passenger rail network and the beginning of a new phase of expansion connecting more cities and regions across the country.

UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, attended Dubai station’s inauguration.

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed travelled aboard Etihad Rail from Abu Dhabi to Dubai ahead of the passenger network’s official launch.

Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station is connected to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station via a dedicated pedestrian bridge, providing a direct transfer between Etihad Rail services and the Dubai Metro.

Earlier, Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group, a global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, partnered to launch a direct rail service connecting Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial

City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).

The integrated inland logistics rail depot solution, linking one of the UAE’s East Coast maritime gateways on the Gulf of Oman with the nation’s industrial heartland in the capital Abu Dhabi, combines a new rail freight service, and a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway designed to bring trade closer to customers.