President Sheikh Mohamed travelled on an Etihad Rail train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai ahead of the official launch of the railway’s new Dubai station. The journey took place as Al Yalayis Station prepared to begin passenger services.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, also attended the launch activities at the station. The opening marks another important step in expanding the UAE’s national rail network and connecting major cities and emirates.
During his journey, Sheikh Mohamed received a briefing about Etihad Rail, its objectives and the services being developed for passengers. The briefing also covered the quality of services and the measures in place to provide a passenger experience designed to meet international standards.
Al Yalayis Station Opens A New Link For Dubai
Al Yalayis Station is an important addition to Etihad Rail’s passenger network because it brings Dubai directly into the national railway system. The station will provide train connections between Dubai and destinations including Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.
The launch also strengthens Dubai’s connection with the wider UAE transport network. With its location and links to other public transport services, Al Yalayis is designed to make it easier for passengers to combine inter-emirate rail travel with journeys within Dubai.
The station’s opening comes as Etihad Rail expands passenger services across the country. It also adds another transport option for people travelling between major emirates.
Sheikh Hamdan Tours Al Yalayis Station
After arriving at Al Yalayis Station, Sheikh Mohamed met staff involved in the project. He was accompanied by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, and Shadi Malak, Chief Executive of Etihad Rail, were also present.
Sheikh Hamdan toured the station and received a briefing on its facilities, passenger services and operational systems. The briefing focused on technologies and solutions designed to create an integrated experience covering arrival, ticket booking and the journey itself.
Sheikh Hamdan Travels From Dubai To Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hamdan also travelled on the new Etihad Rail service from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. He boarded the train in Dubai at 2:11pm and arrived in Abu Dhabi at 3:13pm, giving the journey a travel time of around one hour and two minutes.
He later shared an image of his Etihad Rail ticket on Snapchat. His journey took place ahead of the official launch of the Dubai passenger service.
The trip also highlighted how the new rail connection can link Dubai and Abu Dhabi as part of the UAE’s wider national transport network.
Sheikh Hamdan Highlights Dubai’s Role In The Rail Network
During the launch activities, Sheikh Hamdan said connecting Dubai to the national Etihad Rail network strengthens the emirate’s role within the country’s movement and supports its position in the national economy.
He also highlighted Dubai’s importance as a global centre for business, tourism and investment. According to his remarks, the new rail connection adds national transport infrastructure that improves accessibility to and from the emirate.
The development comes as Dubai continues to expand its transport infrastructure to support population growth, tourism, and future economic activity.
Etihad Rail Tickets Open For Dubai Services
Etihad Rail opened bookings on Monday for its new Dubai services to and from Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Passenger services from the new Dubai station are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The ticketing system had briefly opened the previous week for Dubai-Abu Dhabi journeys before bookings were paused later that day. The latest booking opening allows passengers to plan journeys involving the new Dubai station.
Travellers should check the official Etihad Rail booking system for current schedules, availability, fares and journey conditions when planning their trips.
Al Yalayis Station Connects To Dubai Metro
One of the key features of Al Yalayis Station is its connection with the Dubai Metro network. The station is linked to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station through a dedicated pedestrian bridge.
This connection allows passengers to transfer between Etihad Rail and Dubai Metro without needing to arrange a separate car journey between the two stations.
The Metro connection also gives passengers access to Dubai’s wider public transport network, making Al Yalayis more than just a station for inter-emirate train journeys.
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Etihad Rail And Nol System Integration
Dubai’s transport network is also being integrated with Etihad Rail through the Nol passenger system. The integration allows passengers to book Etihad Rail and Dubai public transport services using a unified QR code.
The QR code can be used across different modes of transport, including trains, Metro, trams and buses. This is intended to make multi-stage journeys easier for passengers travelling between the national rail network and Dubai’s public transport system.
The integration is particularly relevant for passengers who need to continue their journey after arriving at Al Yalayis Station. Instead of treating every transport leg as a completely separate trip, the unified system brings several services together.
Dubai Becomes A Key Link In UAE Public Transport
With Al Yalayis Station connected to Dubai Metro and the Nol system, Dubai becomes an important interchange point between Etihad Rail and the emirate’s existing public transport network.
Passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi or Fujairah can continue their journey using Metro, tram or bus services. Likewise, Dubai residents can use the city’s public transport system to reach the Etihad Rail station for inter-emirate journeys.
The combination of rail and local transport is part of the UAE’s broader effort to build a connected national transportation system, with Al Yalayis playing a new role in linking Dubai to the wider Etihad Rail network.