Etihad Rail is to launch its first passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30, in a milestone moment for the eagerly awaited public transport project.
Journeys on the route are to take one hour and 45 minutes. Train stations at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and Al Dhaid in Sharjah are scheduled to open on September 30 as part of an expansion of the country’s largest infrastructure initiative.
Al Dhafra train station is to open on December 30, with Sharjah’s University City station to begin operations on March 30 next year.
Ticket prices revealed
Fares on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route start at Dh55 ($15) for Comfort Class and Dh120 (about $32.70) for Premium Class.
The inaugural route on the network will take passengers from Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed City station to the station in Al Hilal City. The Fujairah station was the first to be completed.
It is 12 minutes by car from Fujairah International Airport, five minutes from Sakamkam Fort and six minutes from the popular Umbrella Beach.
A vast tract of land surrounding the station is expected to eventually become a major residential district. The station has been built to make it easy for passengers to continue their journey by car, public transport or taxi.
Etihad Rail’s passenger fleet comprises 13 trains, each with a capacity for 400 passengers and capable of reaching 200kph. Customers can book journeys and purchase tickets from today using platforms including the Etihad Rail app and its official website.
Etihad Rail said in January that the first services would connect Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah in the network’s opening phase. Passengers can expect frequent trains on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai line, with the route to Fujairah bolstering tourism and access to the east coast.
The wider Etihad Rail passenger network will eventually stretch across the country and is expected to span 900km.
The Etihad Rail website lists 10 stations on the network, including the five stations that will open to the public by March. The remaining five stations – for which launch dates are yet to be announced – are in Al Dhanna, Al Sila, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed and Liwa.
Getting to the station
Etihad Rail will provide a shuttle bus service between the Mohamed bin Zayed City station and key locations in the capital.
The shuttle services will be available from Adnoc headquarters in Corniche Road West, Adnec Centre in Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, and Reem Mall on Reem Island.
The shuttle buses, for Dh10 ($2.70), can be booked through Etihad Rail’s website and app.
Rail plans take shape
Passenger services will be operated by Etihad Rail in partnership with Keolis, a leading passenger transport operator. Passenger numbers across the network are expected to reach 36 million by 2030, helping to keep people on the move between the emirates while taking cars off the roads to further environmental goals.
Keolis, often through joint ventures, is involved in operating and maintaining metro and regional rail networks globally, such as the Dubai Metro, the Valleilijn regional service in the Netherlands, and the Docklands Light Railway in London.
The UAE’s new train stations will feature amenities, including cafes, restaurants and retail outlets. Dining options will also be available on board passenger trains.
Photo credit: Etihad Rail
