Etihad Rail's first passenger train has completed its historic journey from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, ushering in a new era for public transport across the Emirates.
The train service set off from Fujairah's Al Hilal City at 5.34am on Tuesday to mark the launch of the eagerly awaited national rail network.
The train arrived at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed City station at 7am, about 20 minutes ahead of schedule.
Hundreds of passengers on board the inaugural train ride relished the opportunity to be part of history.
“My siblings encouraged me to go on the train. They said it was opening on June 30, but I was sure it would be fully booked,” said Emirati passenger Noha Alnaqbi, who bought a ticket through the Etihad Rail app.
Originally from Khor Fakkan, Ms Alnaqbi said she felt pride and excitement to be among the first passengers. “It's not just the happiness of one person or one family. It's the happiness of a nation," she said.
Festivities began at the Fujairah station at 5am with a traditional Emirati men's dance. Passengers were offered Arabic coffee, cookies and Barakat’s Ghaf wellness shots. A mascot representing a character from the popular Emirati cartoon Freej greeted passengers.
Train trips between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah take about one hour and 45 minutes, reducing a typical car journey time between the emirates by about an hour. The train, with a maximum speed of up to 200kph, offers a scenic route through the mountain terrain.
Etihad Rail's passenger fleet comprises 13 trains, each able to carry up to 400 passengers. The UAE's new train stations feature amenities including cafes, restaurants and shops. Dining options are also available onboard.
How much do tickets cost?
Customer demand has been strong since bookings opened, with more than 10,000 tickets sold ahead of the start of operations. Etihad Rail is offering an initial 50 per cent discount for tickets on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route for the launch period.
The reduced fares will be Dh55 ($15) for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class.
When will other passenger routes begin?
The Etihad Rail network is to rapidly take shape in the coming months, with 10 stations to open to the public by the end of March next year.
After the launch of the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route, the station at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai will open on September 30, along with Al Dhaid station in Sharjah. Stations in Al Dhafra will welcome passengers from December 30, with Sharjah's University City station to begin operations on March 30 next year.
Why is Etihad Rail important?
The national rail project will seek to better connect the emirates, bolster public transport to help reduce the number of car journeys, boost the environment and act as a catalyst for further investment, tourism and urban growth.
Passenger numbers across the network are expected to reach 36 million by 2030.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, spoke of the significance of the Etihad Rail project after inaugurating the station in Abu Dhabi last week.
Sheikh Khaled said the start of passenger services reflected the country's efforts to develop a fully integrated transport network to strengthen connectivity between the emirates and spur investment, tourism and urban development. He hailed the major initiative as a strategic investment primed to advance the UAE's development journey and bolster its global standing.
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Passengers board the Etihad Rail train after it arrives in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National -
The inaugural service left Fujairah and carried passengers across the UAE to Abu Dhabi -
Passengers wait to scan their tickets before leaving the Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi -
The Mohamed bin Zayed City station is one of the first to open on the national network -
A young passenger is dressed for the occasion as he heads to the Etihad Rail passenger train -
Passengers onboard the train in Abu Dhabi -
Travellers arrive at the Abu Dhabi station before embarking on one of the first passenger services
Azza Al Suwaidi, chief operating officer at Etihad Rail, hailed the project. “Every great piece of national infrastructure has two beginnings – the day it is built and the day people begin making it their own," she said. "Today, with the support and guidance of our wise leadership, we embark on that second beginning.
"The first departure from Fujairah this morning is the moment a national vision becomes part of everyday life, giving people a new way to connect with one another, with opportunity and with the places that make our country so unique. Years from now, today's passengers will be able to say they were there at the very beginning.”
Dr Abdulla AlGhfeli, acting director general of Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre, said the "journey doesn't end when passengers step off the train, it continues all the way to their final destination".
"That is why our partnership with Etihad Rail is so important," he added. "Together, we have integrated passenger rail with Abu Dhabi's wider public transport network, making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to continue their journeys using buses, taxis and other mobility services."
