The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first national passenger rail network is entering its final phase ahead of launch, with authorities now focusing not only on speed and comfort but on safety and educating an entire country on how to live alongside trains.
Ahead of the long-awaited rollout of a passenger service across the Emirates this year, Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has launched a nationwide safety campaign covering all seven Emirates.
Called “Safety is Care”, the campaign aims to raise awareness of safe behaviour near tracks, crossings and stations, and to introduce residents to rail travel etiquette, which is still relatively new to the UAE. The campaign will be delivered via broadcasts, digital platforms, outdoor advertising and community engagement initiatives in order to reach audiences nationwide.
We were honoured to welcome H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; and H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, to Fujairah… pic.twitter.com/6KMp7FMMq4
— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) May 5, 2026
Rather than relying solely on warnings and regulations, the initiative draws heavily on behavioural science and long-term cultural engagement. According to Etihad Rail, many rail-related incidents worldwide are caused by distraction, routine behaviour and a lack of awareness around tracks.
The campaign is accompanied by realistic visuals and everyday scenarios designed to be relatable rather than alarming. Schools, local communities and public institutions are also involved in the outreach effort.
“As we prepare to introduce passenger services across the UAE, it is essential that we build awareness and understanding of how to engage safely with the railway”, said Adhraa Almansoori, director of public policy and sustainability at Etihad Rail.
“This campaign is about building a culture of care and shared responsibility, ensuring that our communities, our passengers, and our employees all play a role in maintaining the highest safety standards.”
Throughout the year, passenger services will be introduced gradually in a carefully planned, phased approach designed to prioritise safety, reliability and comfort from the outset.
Once operational, the network will connect 11 cities across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Stations will be integrated with metro systems, buses, and taxis, and estimated journey times will include 57 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and one hour and 45 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.
The broader ambitions are significant. It is projected that the network will carry 36.5 million passengers per year by 2030, cutting 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂ annually and offering a low-emission alternative to domestic flights and car travel across the Gulf.
Behind the scenes, the scale of the project remains enormous. The 900-kilometre network includes hundreds of bridges and crossings, as well as tunnels carved through mountainous terrain. Freight operations have been running on parts of the network since 2023.
Every train journey drives progress towards a more sustainable future.
— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) March 26, 2026
In 2025, Etihad Rail contributed to reducing more than one million truck trips, while lowering carbon emissions by up to 70–80% per journey, supporting a more efficient and sustainable transport network.… pic.twitter.com/jHrAoF3F7q
Passengers can look forward to unforgettable views: endless desert plains, open skies, salt flats, industrial landscapes en route to Ruwais, and mountain scenery on the Oman stretch. This will reveal parts of the country that many residents and visitors rarely encounter from the air or on the ground.
The trains will feature first, business and economy classes, and will embody a distinctly Emirati identity. Plans are already in place for future high-speed trains between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which could reach speeds of 350 km/h.
An even more luxurious option is also being developed in partnership with the Italian company Arsenale. This is intended to recreate the golden age of rail travel on Arabian sands and has been dubbed a luxury “rail cruise”.
For now, however, the focus is on the inaugural journeys. The safety campaign is the final step before the doors open.
