Etihad Rail To Launch 2026 Passenger Network As Board Reviews Expansion And Cross-Border Projects

Etihad Rail’s Board of Directors, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has reviewed major milestones for the UAE’s national rail network during a meeting at the Abu Dhabi passenger station in Mohamed bin Zayed City, with a strong focus on starting passenger services in 2026 and strengthening the country’s integrated, safe and sustainable transport system.

The Board examined the company’s preparedness to begin initial passenger routes in 2026, covering the national rail network and newly announced stations in Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira’a, Al Faya and Al Dhaid, along with four main stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, which together are planned to connect 11 cities and important economic centres.

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The upcoming passenger service will rely on a fleet of 13 trains designed according to international standards and best practices, aiming to deliver reliable journeys across the emirates. The national passenger rail system is set to become the UAE’s first fully integrated railway for people movement, improving everyday connectivity for citizens, residents and visitors while adding another transport choice to complement roads and other public transit modes.

During the visit, H.H. Sheikh Theyab and Board members toured one of the passenger trains to inspect interior layouts and on-board features, and also assessed construction progress at the Mohamed bin Zayed City station, which includes distinctive architectural elements and a strategic location inside a fast-growing residential district, and is expected, together with the wider network, to support economic activity and urban expansion once services begin.

Alongside passenger preparations, the Board received a detailed update on Etihad Rail’s freight activities, which recorded strong growth in 2025 and highlighted the railway’s expanding role in logistics and trade flows. Volumes moved included more than 6.5 million tonnes of sulphur, over 10 million tonnes of aggregates and 148,000 containers, while bulk and container rail services removed more than 500,000 truck trips from roads in the Al Dhafra Region.

The Board also assessed progress on strategic expansions, led by the UAE–Oman joint railway network, Hafeet Rail, described as the first cross-border rail link between the two countries. The project reached 30 percent completion over the past year, in line with agreed schedules, and is expected, once finished, to strengthen trade flows, enhance passenger movement, deepen bilateral ties and contribute to wider economic growth in both nations.

Etihad Rail governance, strategy and national vision

The meeting brought together senior transport leaders and officials, including Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi and Board Member of Etihad Rail; Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Board Member of Etihad Rail; Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail; along with other Board members and senior company executives, as part of an ongoing series of Board engagements to track project implementation against approved timelines.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the importance of Etihad Rail’s achievements in operating the national rail network, noting the company’s role in reinforcing the UAE’s regional and global standing while advancing safe and sustainable transport solutions. These efforts align with the leadership’s vision to enhance connectivity between residential, industrial and commercial centres through a future-proof transport and infrastructure system that strengthens national competitiveness and supports sustainable development. This progress is reflected in the continued success of freight services since their launch in 2023 and the substantial readiness achieved for passenger operations scheduled for 2026.

Building on these directions, Etihad Rail continues to position the railway as a key part of the UAE’s long-term infrastructure plans, committing to operate a safe, sustainable and integrated network that serves both freight and passenger needs, supports trade corridors and tourism routes, and underpins comprehensive national development in line with economic diversification and connectivity goals across the emirates and the wider region.

The latest Board review underlines that Etihad Rail’s freight services are already delivering measurable logistics benefits, while passenger operations remain on track for 2026, with new stations, rolling stock and cross-border projects progressing according to plan, pointing to a growing role for rail within the UAE’s transport mix and future urban and economic development strategies.

With inputs from WAM