Etihad Rail’s passenger network expanded to Dubai and Sharjah on Wednesday, September 30, marking the next major step in the UAE’s rollout of its national passenger railway.
The expansion brought Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates into the passenger network and opened Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah. The new services connect Dubai and central Sharjah with other parts of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The current expansion follows the start of the introductory passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30, 2026.
On Monday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had travelled from Abu Dhabi to Dubai aboard an Etihad Rail train and received a briefing on the railway’s operations and passenger services. In his presence, Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station was inaugurated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Etihad Rail is a key part of the UAE’s integrated transport network, connecting major cities, ports and industrial centres while supporting the movement of both people and goods. It is seen as a major infrastructure project supporting economic growth, sustainability and connectivity across the emirates.
