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A photograph shows an Etihad Rail train, the UAE's first passenger train, on its inaugural journey at Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi on June 30, 2026.
AFP
The United Arab Emirates marked a milestone in its transport network on Tuesday when the country's first passenger train arrived in Abu Dhabi after an inaugural journey from Fujairah.
Etihad Rail operated the service as part of a national rail network built to connect the emirates.
When did Etihad Rail's first passenger train depart?
The inaugural service left Fujairah at about 5:34 a.m. and arrived in Abu Dhabi at 7:19 a.m. The journey took just under one hour and 45 minutes, with the train stopping in Sharjah and Dubai along the route before completing its first run.
Crowds gathered at the station to welcome the train. Cheers and applause greeted the first passengers as the service pulled into the platform.
What did passengers say about the first journey?
Among the first passengers was Greeny, who traveled with her family on the inaugural service from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi. She described the journey as smooth and comfortable and praised the onboard hospitality, saying the food and service were "amazing."
How will passengers connect beyond the train journey?
Etihad Rail said it has focused on ensuring passengers have seamless connections beyond the train itself. "For Etihad Rail, the journey doesn't just start and end with the train," Adhraa Almansoori, executive director of commercial at Etihad Rail Mobility, told Gulf News.
Almansoori said the operator had planned access to stations through shuttle buses, existing public bus networks, taxis and e-hailing services. She added that every station is connected to its emirate's public transport network.
She also said the Dubai station, scheduled to open in September, will be located near a Dubai Metro station. That positioning will allow for a potentially direct and convenient metro interchange.
How was the train's arrival in Abu Dhabi celebrated?
The arrival was celebrated with a traditional Emirati dance as passengers disembarked. The station also hosted a festive reception featuring a free photo booth, colorful balloons and complimentary snacks and drinks.
Many travelers took photographs to commemorate the occasion, marking the start of Etihad Rail's national passenger service.
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