Residents make overnight trips to catch the dawn departure, arriving in the capital ahead of schedule as the national rail network enters its introductory operational phase.
DUBAI: The UAE entered a new era of national connectivity on Tuesday as Etihad Rail officially commenced introductory operations for its highly anticipated passenger service. The historic maiden journey saw enthusiastic travellers board the first train from Fujairah at 5:34 AM, arriving in Abu Dhabi seven minutes ahead of schedule and marking a major milestone in the country’s transport infrastructure.
Public response to the launch has been overwhelming, with transport officials confirming that more than 10,000 tickets were snapped up prior to the network’s rollout. Most services scheduled over the coming days are already completely sold out, reflecting immense demand from residents eager to experience the cross-country rail link. The inaugural 105-minute journey effectively slashes travel times between the eastern coast and the capital, transforming how residents commute across the Emirates.
The celebratory mood was palpable early Tuesday morning at the Fujairah station, where passengers arriving from 5:00 AM were welcomed with traditional Emirati dances and fresh Arabic coffee. After seamlessly scanning their QR-code tickets to access the platforms, travelers boarded the state-of-the-art train, where they were treated to a complimentary breakfast, tea, and chocolates. The train zoomed past major national landmarks, including Dubai World Central (DWC) and Zayed Military City, before pulling into the Abu Dhabi station at 7:12 AM—seven minutes earlier than its scheduled 7:19 AM arrival.
The historic launch prompted unique travel arrangements from dedicated commuters. Some residents organized overnight trips to the East Coast just to secure a spot on the maiden voyage. Nihad, a commuter who made the journey with a group of friends, drove to Fujairah the night before, checked into a hotel, and arrived at the station by 4:30 AM. Following the train’s arrival in Abu Dhabi, he headed straight to work via bus and metro, highlighting how the rail service integrates into daily professional routines. The return journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah successfully commenced later in the morning at 8:19 AM.
The Etihad Rail passenger network represents a core pillar of the UAE’s multi-billion-dollar Federal Freight and Passenger Strategy. Designed to link the country’s main centers of population and industry, the passenger trains travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h. The network is poised to drastically reduce carbon emissions by cutting down reliance on road transport, aligning with the UAE’s broader sustainability goals while fostering closer economic integration among the seven emirates.
