# Etihad Rail passenger service expansion & integration > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/etihad-rail-passenger-service-rollout > Updated: 2026-08-12T08:20:18.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 17. Since the June 30, 2026 launch, Etihad Rail has expanded its service through new bus routes MR1 and MR2, linking Abu Dhabi’s Main Bus Station and Al Zahya Bus Station to the Mohammed bin Zayed City station. The rail service, operating at up to 200 km/h, currently completes the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah journey in approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. To accommodate growing demand, the operator has introduced three new ticketing tiers: Saver, Value, and Flexible. These categories offer varying levels of refundability and changeability. Additionally, a new culinary program in collaboration with Capital Catering has launched on the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route. The ‘A Journey Through the Emirates’ menu, developed by chef Maitha Warshaw, features traditional dishes such as Machboos using regional ingredients like dates, saffron, and cardamom. Construction is also advancing on the first high-speed segment of the network. Turkish firm Kalyon İnşaat, as part of an international consortium including National Projects and Construction, Trojan Tunneling, and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, has begun work on the Abu Dhabi section of the 150-km Abu Dhabi–Dubai line. Designed for 320 km/h operation, this segment aims to reduce travel time between the emirates to 30 minutes. The project includes 97 km of track, four stations, and an 11.2-km twin-bore tunnel, with completion slated for 2031 as part of the broader 900-km passenger network. The network remains on track to serve 36 million passengers annually by 2030. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Etihad Rail introduces new ticketing tiers and onboard dining Etihad Rail has launched new tiered ticketing options—Saver, Value, and Flexible—alongside a new onboard dining menu featuring traditional Emirati cuisine. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-introduces-new-ticketing-tiers-and-onboard-dining ### 2026-08-06: Kalyon İnşaat begins work on UAE's first high‑speed rail line Kalyon İnşaat has begun construction of the Abu Dhabi‑Dubai high‑speed rail, the UAE's first, as part of a $13 bn Etihad Rail project, aiming for 320 km/h service and 30‑minute travel time by 2031. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kalyon-inaat-begins-work-on-uaes-first-highspeed-rail-line ### 2026-08-04: Dubai expands public transport with new electric feeder bus and Al Yalayis rail station Dubai launched an electric feeder bus in JLT to shorten walks from the Metro and will open the Al Yalayis Etihad Rail station on Sep 30, enhancing citywide transport links. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dubai-expands-public-transport-with-new-electric-feeder-bus-and-al-yalayis-rail-station ### 2026-08-03: Etihad Rail expands UAE passenger network and launches rail‑to‑road car rental service Etihad Rail will open new UAE stations through 2027 and has sold over 70,000 tickets since June 2023; Thrifty Car Rental partners to offer a rail‑to‑road service with 500 cars at stations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-expands-uae-passenger-network-and-launches-railtoroad-car-rental-service ### 2026-07-27: Etihad Rail boosts UAE travel with new Abu Dhabi bus routes and faster Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah service Etihad Rail adds two Abu Dhabi bus routes and a fast Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah passenger line, easing long commutes and expanding UAE public transport. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-boosts-uae-travel-with-new-abu-dhabi-bus-routes-and-faster-abu-dhabifujairah-service ### 2026-07-24: Abu Dhabi adds two bus routes linking Etihad Rail station to city hubs Abu Dhabi Mobility launched MR1 and MR2 bus lines linking the Mohammed bin Zayed City Train Station with the Main and Al Zahiyah Bus Stations, easing access to Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah service. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abu-dhabi-adds-two-bus-routes-linking-etihad-rail-station-to-city-hubs ### 2026-07-20: Dubai RTA launches extensive mobility and pedestrian bridge lighting upgrades Dubai RTA rolls out a five‑year plan linking 25 neighbourhoods to public‑transport hubs and installs motion‑sensor LED lighting on 30 pedestrian bridges to boost mobility and safety. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dubai-rta-launches-extensive-mobility-and-pedestrian-bridge-lighting-upgrades ### 2026-07-17: Dubai launches soft‑mobility network and Etihad Rail station Dubai RTA approved a five‑year soft‑mobility plan to add walking, cycling and e‑scooter links around 63 stations, while Etihad Rail will open a new Dubai station on 30 Sept to connect the rail network with the 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dubai-launches-softmobility-network-and-etihad-rail-station ### 2026-07-15: Etihad Rail celebrates rail‑linked trading milestone and honors partners for UAE passenger service ADX rang its opening bell on a moving Etihad Rail train to launch new futures, while Etihad Rail honored partners for delivering the UAE passenger rail service ahead of schedule and securing safety author‑is­at 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-celebrates-raillinked-trading-milestone-and-honors-partners-for-uae-passenger-service ### 2026-07-07: Etihad Rail launches UAE passenger service and new stations Etihad Rail’s UAE passenger service started on 30 June, linking Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, opening stations nationwide and allowing pets while banning bikes and e‑scooters. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-launches-uae-passenger-service-and-new-stations ### 2026-07-04: UAE's Etihad Rail begins passenger service, announces ticket pricing UAE's Etihad Rail started passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, offering a 50% launch discount for adults and reduced fares for children and seniors, with detailed cancellation policies. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uaes-etihad-rail-begins-passenger-service-announces-ticket-pricing ### 2026-07-02: Etihad Rail launches UAE passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah Etihad Rail’s new Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah passenger line begins service, offering 1 h 45 min trips, Wi‑Fi and pet travel rules, with more routes planned. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-launches-uae-passenger-service-between-abu-dhabi-and-fujairah ### 2026-06-30: Etihad Rail launches UAE passenger service, outlines full network rollout to 2027 The UAE opened its first passenger train between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 30 June 2026 and detailed a rollout of ten stations, with the final one due in March 2027. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-launches-uae-passenger-service-outlines-full-network-rollout-to-2027 ### 2026-06-29: Etihad Rail launches UAE's first national passenger train service Etihad Rail opened the UAE’s first passenger train on 30 June, linking Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in 1 h 45 m, with 10,000 tickets sold and fares from Dh 55. Expansion to Dubai, Al Dhafra and Sharjah is planned. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-launches-first-passenger-service-in-uae ### 2026-06-28: Etihad Rail launches passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah Etihad Rail begins passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with early bookings exceeding 5,000 and plans to expand to Dubai, Al Dhaid and Sharjah over the coming months. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-launches-passenger-service-between-abu-dhabi-and-fujairah ### 2026-06-24: UAE's Etihad Rail launches first passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah Etihad Rail opened bookings for the UAE's first passenger line, Abu Dhabi–Fujairah, with a 1 h 45 min journey, fares from AED 55, and trains for up to 400 passengers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uaes-etihad-rail-launches-first-passenger-service-between-abu-dhabi-and-fujairah ### 2026-06-24: Etihad Rail launches Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah passenger service on June 30, 2026 Etihad Rail starts trial passenger service Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah on 30 June 2026, with full network opening Sept 30 2026 and further stations through 2027, aiming to boost UAE connectivity and reduce road traffic. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-launches-abu-dhabifujairah-passenger-service-trial-on-june-30 --- Cite as: Etihad Rail passenger service expansion & integration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/etihad-rail-passenger-service-rollout