Etihad Rail Signs Deal with Dubai Metro Operator to Run Passenger Services

Etihad Rail has struck a landmark partnership with Keolis International, the French operator behind the Dubai Metro, to run passenger services across the UAE. 

The collaboration, formalised during the Global Rail 2025 conference in Abu Dhabi, sets the stage for the country’s first national passenger rail network, planned to launch in 2026. 

Under the joint venture — branded Etihad Rail Mobility — Keolis will bring its operational expertise to manage the passenger trains, train staff, and integrate systems across rail, feeder buses, and last-mile transport. The aim is to deliver a safe, reliable, punctual and sustainable service as part of the UAE’s wider infrastructure and mobility goals.

The passenger network will traverse key urban centres including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, connecting as many as 11 cities and areas across the Emirates. By 2030, forecasts suggest ridership could reach 36 million passengers annually. 

The existing freight network, already operational since 2023, spans more than 600 km of dual-track lines connecting ports and logistics hubs. This passenger extension seeks to complement that freight backbone, shifting travel demand from road to rail and reducing congestion and carbon emissions. 

When fully functional, the rail service promises dramatically reduced travel times: about 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and 105 minutes to Fujairah. The network layout visible in maps shows lines weaving through desert and mountain terrain, linking strategic stops at industrial zones and ports along the way. 

For the UAE, this deal marks a turning point: it transitions the nation from freight-only rail to a comprehensive public transport network — integrating urban rail, regional service, and modern mobility systems. It also aligns with long-term sustainability and economic diversification strategies. 

The coming months will see intensified efforts to finalise routes, test rolling stock, recruit staff and synchronise operations. The eyes of the transport sector in the Gulf will be watching closely as the UAE takes one of its most ambitious steps yet toward a rail-driven future.