The United Arab Emirates marked a major milestone in its transport sector as Etihad Rail launched its first passenger service between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. The inaugural train departed from Al Hilal City station in Fujairah at 5.34am on Tuesday and reached Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7am, officially beginning the country's long-awaited national passenger rail service.

Hundreds of passengers were part of the historic journey, with celebrations starting at the Fujairah station from 5am. Guests were welcomed with a traditional Emirati men's dance, Arabic coffee, cookies and Barakat's Ghaf wellness shots. A mascot inspired by the popular Emirati cartoon Freej also greeted travellers before departure.

Tickets for the new service are available through the Etihad Rail app. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah now takes around one hour and 45 minutes, reducing the usual road travel time by about an hour. Travelling at speeds of up to 200 kmph, the train offers passengers scenic views of the UAE's mountain landscape.

Etihad Rail's passenger fleet consists of 13 trains, with each train capable of carrying up to 400 passengers. The newly developed stations feature cafes, restaurants and retail outlets, while onboard dining facilities are also available to enhance the travel experience.

To mark the launch, Etihad Rail is offering an initial 50 per cent discount on tickets for the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route. The rail network will continue to expand over the coming months, with 10 stations expected to open by the end of March next year.

Following the launch of the Fujairah route, stations at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and Al Dhaid in Sharjah will open on September 30. Five stations in Al Dhafra are scheduled to begin operations on December 30, while University City station in Sharjah is expected to open on March 30 next year.

The Etihad Rail project is designed to improve connectivity between the emirates, encourage greater use of public transport, reduce road traffic and support environmental sustainability. The railway is also expected to boost tourism, attract investment and contribute to urban development across the UAE. Passenger numbers across the network are projected to reach 36 million by 2030.

Speaking after inaugurating the Abu Dhabi station last week, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said the launch of passenger services reflects the UAE's commitment to building a fully integrated transport network that strengthens connectivity, supports investment, promotes tourism and drives urban development. He described the project as a strategic investment that will contribute to the country's long-term growth and strengthen its global position.