The United Arab Emirates doesn’t do things by halves. If it builds an airport, it becomes a shopping mall with a runway. If it creates a tower, it outgrows every other building on Earth. Now, the nation is setting its sights on something more down to earth, as Etihad Rail teams up with French operator Keolis to launch the UAE’s first passenger train services.
By 2026, the plan is for passengers to swap tailbacks on Sheikh Zayed Road for something far smoother: sleek, world-class rail journeys linking the Emirates.
From Rhetoric to Rails
Railways have long been on the UAE’s wish list. Freight has been trundling along Etihad Rail’s tracks for years, but moving people is a different beast. To do that properly, you need more than shiny new trains. You need an operator with battle scars from running complicated, high-demand networks.
Cue Keolis. With experience across 13 countries, from Paris to Melbourne, the French giant knows how to keep trains running on time while maintaining passengers vaguely happy, which is no small feat in modern transport.
Azza Alsuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, was keen to underline the significance:
“The UAE is on the cusp of a dynamic new era in mobility, and at Etihad Rail we are proud to be driving this transformation under the guidance of our Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This joint venture marks a bold step forward towards launching passenger services in the nation.”
That’s big talk, but in fairness, the UAE has form when turning ambitious talk into steel and concrete.
The French Connection
Why Keolis? Because they’ve been around the block and, more importantly, around the timetable. They bring a track record of running networks safely and efficiently, and the ability to turn what could be chaos into something resembling order.
Marie-Ange Debon, Chairwoman and Group CEO of Keolis, was positively lyrical about the partnership:
“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.”
In other words, the French will ensure the trains don’t just run, but run properly, a detail passengers tend to notice.
What It Means for Travellers
So what will rail travel actually look like in the Emirates? Think modern carriages, air-conditioned comfort, and the amenities that make a quick hop between Abu Dhabi and Dubai feel less like a commute and more like a privilege.
Beyond comfort, there’s the matter of sustainability. The UAE has pledged to curb emissions, and trains are a cleaner alternative to clogged highways and short-haul flights. If the service is priced right, travellers may find the rails a smarter, faster, and greener way than inching through traffic.
A National Statement
Etihad Rail’s partnership with Keolis isn’t just about transport. It’s about symbolism. A nation that has always defined itself through bold, future-facing projects is now signalling that its future includes rail travel as more than a novelty.
As Alsuwaidi put it: “This partnership is about more than building railways; it is about shaping the future of transport in our nation.”
Translation: it’s about prestige as much as practicality. And in the Gulf, prestige counts.
Looking Ahead
Will it all work? History suggests yes. The result is rarely half-baked when the UAE sets its mind on something. By 2026, expect ribbon cuttings, glossy promotional videos, and perhaps even a few imported celebrities aboard the inaugural service.
But beneath the spectacle lies a serious point: the UAE is adding another string to its transport bow, and doing it in partnership with one of the world’s most experienced operators.
The tracks are being laid, the trains are coming, and the road ahead won’t involve sitting in traffic for once.
