Business · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Etihad Rail Launches Abu Dhabi-Dubai Passenger Service, Adds Six Weekend Trains
Etihad Rail began daily Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger services with about one-hour journeys. Six additional weekend trains introduced to meet exceptional early demand, adding over 2,000 seats.
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Weekend service boost
Etihad Rail launched passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and then added six extra weekend train services after exceptional early demand, with more than 1,000 additional seats released across three new trips on Saturday, October 3, and another 1,000 seats across three new trips on Sunday, October 4. The extra departures ran at 12:14 from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, 13:43 from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and 16:43 from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and ticket sales for the additional services began at 2pm on Friday, October 2. The journey takes around 64 minutes, and the added services reflected customers’ enthusiasm for travelling by rail.
Railway PRO said Etihad Rail launched passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on 30 September with ten daily services and a direct journey time of approximately one hour and four minutes. Railway PRO also said the first passenger train departed on Wednesday morning from Al Yalayis station in Dubai at 6.14 am bound for Abu Dhabi.
Fares, stations, and access
Etihad Rail connected the new Al Yalayis station in Dubai, in the Jumeirah Golf Estates area, to the red metro line via a footbridge approximately 400 metres long, and it said the walk takes approximately five minutes. Railway PRO said passengers can combine their journey on Etihad Rail with Dubai’s public transport using a unique QR code, valid for the train, metro, tram and bus. Tickets for the additional services went on sale at 2pm today, Friday 2 October, and Comfort and Premium starting prices were Dh39 and Dh109.
The Independent said premium seats include more legroom, reclining seats and complimentary wifi and snacks. The Independent said each of the 13 new trains will accommodate up to 400 passengers, while Etihad Rail Mobility operates passenger rail transport in the United Arab Emirates.
Network expansion and targets
Etihad Rail’s passenger network expansion includes a wider set of corridors, with Railway PRO saying the service to Dubai expands the passenger operations launched on 30 June when the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route was opened. Over 150,000 passengers have used the introductory Abu Dhabi–Fujairah service, and there is also a direct connection from Dubai to Fujairah with a journey time of approximately one hour and ten minutes. The network will continue to expand, connecting 11 cities across the UAE with high-speed services, and Etihad Rail hopes to reach an annual ridership of 36.5 million passengers by 2030.
Passenger trains currently serve Al Dhaid in Sharjah and Fujairah, with more stations scheduled to join the network. Passenger services are operated by Etihad Rail Mobility, a company established in partnership with the French group Keolis to operate passenger rail transport in the United Arab Emirates.