(UAE) His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, personally traveled on the Etihad Rail passenger train between Dubai and Fujairah on August 2, 2025, marking the first official passenger journey on the completed route. The trip showed that the service is entering its final readiness phase, with commercial passenger operations scheduled for 2026. In an official statement shared by project leaders, Sheikh Mohammed called Etihad Rail a “vital economic artery” and a key part of the country’s plan for an integrated transport network that supports growth, safety, and sustainability.
The passenger route and national network
The passenger line is part of a national rail system that will link 11 cities and regions from Al Sila on the Saudi border to Fujairah on the east coast. The full network spans about 900 kilometers and is designed for both passenger and freight trains.
Authorities say the passenger service will:
- Connect with metro, bus, and taxi systems
- Accept the Nol payment card, allowing a single, simple way to move across cities and between emirates
- Serve residents, workers, and visitors by offering a reliable alternative to road travel
For commuters, families, tourists, and companies the Dubai–Fujairah leg provides a practical preview of everyday rail benefits. Commuters gain a safer and more reliable option that reduces time on busy roads. Families can plan weekend trips without worrying about traffic or parking. Tourists will reach coast-to-coast attractions more easily, and companies can move staff and supplies between urban hubs with greater predictability.
What the August 2 journey means
The Prime Minister’s onboard review was a public test of the route and its systems. By choosing to ride between Dubai and Fujairah, Sheikh Mohammed signaled that the backbone of the passenger service is nearly ready.
This was not a ceremonial ribbon cutting; it was a working trip to assess progress and confirm operations are on track. Etihad Rail, with support from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, has moved the project from construction into the final stages of testing and safety checks.
Key context:
- Freight trains began full operations in 2023, easing highway pressure and supporting trade.
- Passenger services entered advanced testing in 2025.
- Analysts note this high-level review follows a common pattern in large rail projects: senior inspections often precede the final round of certification, staff training, and customer-facing trials (analysis by VisaVerge.com).
Timeline and integration before the 2026 opening
Officials describe a practical path to launch that balances speed with safety:
- Final testing and commissioning through 2025, including system reliability trials and emergency drills, with government oversight.
- Network tie-ins with city systems during 2025–2026 to support a fully integrated travel experience (station links to metro and bus lines, taxi ranks, and unified payment through Nol).
- Phased passenger roll-out in 2026, connecting 11 cities and regions across all emirates, with Dubai and Fujairah as major hubs.
- Ongoing upgrades to digital ticketing, station amenities, and logistics hubs as more riders come onboard.
The goal is to simplify the full journey: a rider should be able to tap in with Nol, transfer smoothly between rail, metro, and bus, and reach final destinations with short transfers. This matters for:
- Workers on tight schedules
- Schoolchildren traveling between cities
- Visitors arriving without a car
Economic, social, and environmental effects
Etihad Rail’s planners project broad, long-term impacts:
- Economic value: about AED 200 billion
- Road maintenance savings: AED 8 billion
- Tourism benefits: around AED 23 billion
These figures reflect direct and indirect gains: fewer heavy vehicles on highways, more predictable delivery times, and easier access to tourist sites and events.
Environmental and climate goals:
- The network supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy.
- Planned effects include a 21% reduction in road transport emissions and a 40% cut in per capita emissions by 2050.
- Rail transport lowers fuel use per trip, reduces road strain, and improves air quality along major corridors.
Workforce and local economic benefits:
- Emiratisation is embedded in operations, with Emirati nationals in technical and operational roles.
- During construction, more than 28,000 specialists and 215 local companies participated.
- Rail stations typically stimulate local services—cafes, hotels, housing, and retail—bringing sustained foot traffic and demand.
Social impacts and mobility shifts:
- Rail may change where people choose to live, study, and work by making commutes predictable and safe.
- Young professionals may accept jobs in different emirates; parents may be more comfortable with cross-city activities for children.
- The government frames the project as a nation-building tool, strengthening social cohesion by connecting urban centers and outlying regions.
Transport analysts add that the UAE could become a Middle East model for integrating metro, bus, taxi, and intercity rail under a single, user-friendly system.
Resilience, readiness, and next steps for riders
The August 2 journey also underscored readiness for major events and disruptions. A broad rail backbone helps keep the country moving during storms, sand events, or traffic incidents that slow highways. It also provides options for emergency services to move people and supplies.
As the 2026 opening approaches, passengers should watch for practical updates from Etihad Rail on:
- Station access and parking
- Ticketing rules and pricing
- Accessibility features and assistance
- Customer support hours and contact channels
Early riders often shape final operational tweaks. Feedback on transfer times, platform signage, and first-and-last-mile connections will help improve service as routes open.
Important: Expect further announcements and operational details from Etihad Rail as testing concludes and commercial services near launch. Early-user feedback will matter for final adjustments.
For official project information, service updates, and contact details, visit the Etihad Rail website: https://www.etihadrail.ae.
This Article in a Nutshell
Sheikh Mohammed’s August 2, 2025 ride on Etihad Rail signals near-readiness for passenger service. Final testing continues through 2025, integration with metro, bus, and Nol card planned, and phased commercial launch expected in 2026 to connect 11 cities across a 900-kilometer national network.
