Sheikh Mohammed takes Etihad Rail ride from Dubai to Fujairah, inspects progress of the project

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, boarded an Etihad Rail passenger train from Dubai to Fujairah on a test ride to review the progress of the country’s first national rail network, scheduled to commence operations in 2026.

The train, which will eventually connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, is designed to operate at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and is expected to serve 36 million passengers annually by 2030.

A vision of connectivity and progress

In a post on his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed wrote: “We have made the journey from Dubai to Fujairah on the Etihad Rail passenger train... The train will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, from Al Sila to Fujairah, with a speed of 200 km/h. It is expected to carry 36 million passengers annually by 2030.”

He added: “I’m proud of our national projects. I’m proud of the Etihad Rail team led by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed. And I’m proud of a nation that never stops working — one that adds a new brick to its future infrastructure every single day.”

Reduced travel times and enhanced mobility

According to Etihad Rail, the passenger network will significantly cut travel times between major cities. The journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai will take just 57 minutes, while the trip from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah is expected to take around 105 minutes.

The project aims to strengthen urban connectivity, reduce reliance on cars and trucks, and enhance sustainable mobility across the UAE.

Boost to domestic tourism

The passenger service is also projected to boost domestic tourism by connecting residents to the UAE’s diverse destinations. Officials estimate this could generate Dh24 billion in tourism revenue over the next 50 years.

Beyond convenience, the railway is seen as a pillar of long-term economic and environmental transformation.

As part of the Dh50 billion National Railways Programme, the full passenger and freight network is expected to unlock Dh200 billion in economic benefits over five decades.

This includes Dh100 billion in reduced transport costs and travel times, Dh22 billion in savings from fewer road accidents, Dh23 billion in improved land access and urban planning, and Dh8 billion in lower road maintenance costs.

Environmental impact and emissions reduction

Each freight train will eliminate up to 300 trucks from UAE roads, easing congestion and reducing pollution.

The government projects that the rail system will cut land transport emissions by 21 per cent annually by 2050, the equivalent of 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.