Etihad Rail Launches Passenger Service Connecting Fujairah to Abu Dhabi

Etihad Rail officially commenced its passenger rail operations on Thursday, marking the start of commercial transit services between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. The launch transitions the national infrastructure project from a freight-focused network to a multi-use transport system designed to connect the UAE’s major urban and industrial hubs. Travel Times and Technical Specifications The passenger service utilizes trains capable of reaching speeds up to 200 kilometres per hour. The journey between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi is scheduled to take approximately 100 minutes, significantly reducing the current two-and-a-half-hour commute by road. Each train features a seating capacity for 400 passengers, with configurations divided into first, business, and economy classes. The route from the eastern coast begins at the Sakamkam station in Fujairah, traversing the Hajar Mountains through a series of specialized tunnels and bridges. This segment of the 900-kilometre network was previously used exclusively for the transport of heavy goods and materials before the integration of passenger carriages. Network Expansion and Capacity The transition to passenger services follows the successful…