UAE: National railway developer and operator Etihad Rail has formed the Etihad Rail Mobility 50:50 joint venture with Keolis to launch passenger train services in the UAE from 2026.
Keolis will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the passenger services under the long-term partnership agreement.
Passenger services
The first four stations will be located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. The 200 km/h trains will operate on the existing freight network, which now covers 900 km from Ghuwaifat of the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah, and is being extended by a further 238 km to Oman under the Hafeet Rail project.
Keolis told Railway Gazette International that the network is designed to connect all seven emirates and passenger trains are expected to serve 11 major cities and key sites. However, as the project is still under development, the exact routes and service patterns are still being finalised.
Etihad Rail has previously ordered seven push-pull passenger trainsets from CAF and four from CRRC Qingdao Sifang
UAE Minister of Energy & Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said ‘by 2030, the network’s capacity is expected to reach 60 million tonnes of freight and 36 million passengers annually. This will contribute to advancing sustainable development goals, reducing emissions, and enhancing the competitiveness of the national transport sector.’
Joint venture
‘This joint venture marks a bold step forward towards launching passenger services in the nation’, said Azza Alsuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, after it was announced at the Global Rail 2025 event in Abu Dhabi on September 30. ‘Keolis brings extensive expertise in safely and efficiently managing complex rail networks, while keeping passenger satisfaction as a priority. Its proven success both locally and globally makes it the ideal partner for what we aim to achieve.’
He said the partnership was ‘about more than building railways; it is about shaping the future of transport in our nation and setting the stage for the launch of our passenger services in 2026. We are determined to provide a seamless, world-class rail service that will transform the travel experience and enhance the quality of life in the UAE.’
Keolis Chair & Group CEO Marie-Ange Debon said ‘we are extremely proud of this strategic partnership with Etihad Rail. We will leverage their high-quality rail infrastructure by bringing our expertise in launching new operations and delivering service excellence to offer a safe and sustainable mobility solution across the United Arab Emirates. Alongside our operation within the Gulf Co-operation Council region, this new contract reinforces our position as a trusted partner and marks the beginning of a long-term commitment with Etihad Rail.’
Other agreements
At Global Rail 2025 Abu Dhabi Airports and Hafeet Rail formalised an agreement to explore opportunities to link the future UAE – Oman railway directly with Al Ain International Airport, which is close to the border. This would support passenger and freight connectivity with Sohar in Oman.
‘We aim to create a seamless multimodal hub that unlocks its transformation into a vital centre for regional trade, tourism, and industry’, said Elena Sorlini, Managing Director & CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports.
A preliminary agreement to launch a Bonded Rail Corridor linking Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah Terminals in Fujairah was signed by Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Customs, Fujairah Customs, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Fujairah Terminals and Noatum Logistics . The secure customs corridor will offer co-ordinated pre-inquiry procedures, with final customs formalities completed at the destination. Pilot operations are scheduled to begin before the end of 2025.
Other MoUs were signed by Etihad Rail and MerMec to strengthen co-operation in assessing the condition of signalling systems and railway technologies, between Etihad Rail and the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan to strengthen international co-operation and knowledge exchange, and between Etihad Rail and India’s RITES to explore investment opportunities and business collaboration.
