DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, rode the Etihad Rail passenger train from Dubai to Fujairah this week.
The test ride gave a direct view of how the Dh50 billion Etihad Rail project is progressing. This is the UAE’s first national rail network and is planned to start running in 2026. The trains can travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h. The service will connect 11 cities, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. By 2030, it is expected to carry 36 million passengers each year.
Faster travel, better mobility
The train will significantly reduce travel times across major cities. A journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just 57 minutes, while Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will be completed in about 105 minutes. The rail service aims to reduce reliance on road transport and promote sustainable mobility across the Emirates.
Economic and tourism benefits
Etihad Rail’s passenger service is projected to boost domestic tourism by connecting residents to destinations across the UAE. Authorities estimate the project could generate Dh24 billion in tourism revenue over the next 50 years.
The National Railways Programme is expected to bring Dh200 billion in economic benefits. This includes Dh100 billion in savings on time and transport costs, Dh22 billion from fewer road accidents, Dh23 billion from better land use and Dh8 billion in reduced road maintenance costs.
Lower emissions, less congestion
The environmental impact is also substantial. Each freight train is expected to remove up to 300 trucks from UAE roads, reducing both congestion and emissions. The government forecasts a 21% annual reduction in land transport emissions by 2050, equivalent to 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂.
In a post on his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed wrote, “I’m proud of our national projects… and of a nation that never stops working — one that adds a new brick to its future infrastructure every single day".