Etihad Rail unveils new stations ahead of 2026 launch

• Network will connect 11 cities
• Operations will begin this year
• Seven new stations named

Etihad Rail’s new passenger rail network will connect 11 cities and will start becoming operational this year, the UAE’s national railway developer and operator has announced.

Seven new stations will be built in Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira’a, Al Faya and Al Dhaid, which will become operational in phases, Etihad Rail said in a statement.

The first four stations – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah – were announced last year.

“The passenger rail network will serve as a cornerstone of the UAE’s national transport ecosystem, supporting the country’s long-term development and strengthening connectivity across its Emirates,” said Azza Al Suwaidi, deputy CEO, Etihad Rail Mobility.

The stations across the network will be operational in phases throughout 2026, she added.

Mohammed Alshehhi, chief projects officer at Etihad Rail, said the service will officially launch this year.

The first phase will connect 11 cities, with stations located in central areas such as Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, University City in Sharjah and the Al Hilal area in Fujairah.

“Ten of the 13 trains in our fleet have arrived and testing has been completed,” he said.

The trains will travel at up to 200 kilometres per hour and carry up to 400 passengers each.

In January 2025, Etihad Rail announced plans to run the high-speed passenger rail service that will reduce travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to 30 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 350km per hour.

Last year Etihad Rail and French transportation company Keolis Group set up a joint venture to operate passenger trains from next year.

The state-backed company already runs a freight service across a 1,200km network in the UAE.