ETIHAD RAIL LAUNCHES DUBAI TO ABU DHABI PASSENGER SERVICE

Etihad Rail has launched its first passenger train service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, cutting the journey between the two cities to 64 minutes. The inaugural train departed Al Yayalis Dubai station at 6.14am on Wednesday, 30 September, according to the company. Etihad Rail, the UAE's national railway network, previously focused on freight transport before expanding into passenger services. The route is the second to open, following the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah service launched in June, which takes one hour and 45 minutes. Journeys by road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi typically take around ninety minutes, according to the report.

Five trains run daily in each direction, with two morning and three afternoon departures, the company said. The last train from Abu Dhabi leaves at 5.43pm, while the final Dubai departure is at 6.14pm. Standard class tickets start at 39 AED (£8), while premium class starts at 109 AED (£22.37), with premium seats offering extra legroom, reclining seats, complimentary wifi and snacks. Each of the thirteen new trains can carry up to 400 passengers. Etihad Rail is a separate entity from Etihad Airways, according to the report.

Etihad Rail said it aims to connect eleven cities across the UAE with high-speed services as the network expands, targeting annual ridership of 36.5 million passengers by 2030. The company said in August that demand for rail travel was growing among families, commuters, leisure travellers and visitors. Azza Al Suwaidi, chief operating officer of Etihad Rail, said passengers are planning journeys around the train rather than trying it out of curiosity, noting that customers are booking nearly two weeks in advance. Etihad Rail has presented the service as an alternative to congested road travel between the two cities.