Etihad Rail has the potential to transform how people travel between UAE cities, but its long-term success will be determined by how easy it is for passengers to go from the train to their final destination, according to transportation experts.
Passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi commenced on September 30, providing a fresh option for travels that had previously relied on private vehicles. The route connects Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station to Abu Dhabi, and passenger trains between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah commenced operation in June.
According to Roger Cruikshank, Senior Director of Road and Rail at AtkinsRéalis Middle East, the railway provides a viable public transit option for inter-emirate travel. However, getting people to use it on a daily basis will require more than just a train between cities. “The real opportunity lies in how well the rail network connects with existing transport systems within each city,” he stated.
Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station exemplifies the point. A pedestrian bridge connects the Etihad Rail station to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, providing access to the Dubai Metro Red Line for further transit throughout the city. Passengers would be able to continue their journey using public transit rather than making separate onwards travel arrangements’, Cruikshank stated.
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