Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the United Arab Emirates's national railway network, confirmed that it is moving forward with confidence toward launching passenger transport services by 2026, in line with the UAE’s ambition to provide an integrated, safe, and efficient rail network. She noted that the rail network will feature routes fully separated from roads, enhancing safety by eliminating collision risks. She added that the passenger service will provide accurate and reliable timetables, with travel times of 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, 105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, and 70 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Ruwais. Passenger services will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE — from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east — passing through Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. She stressed that the company is committed to meeting the target date of 2026 for launching passenger services, with quality, safety, and reliability forming the core pillars at every stage of implementation.