Etihad Rail's first passenger says it was 'privilege I'll never forget' | The National

Hamad Mansour Albloushi took Etihad Rail's first passenger train from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Photo: Etihad RailHamad Mansour Albloushi took Etihad Rail's first passenger train from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Photo: Etihad RailHamad Mansour Albloushi chosen for his community workThe NationalJune 30, 2026

Hamad Mansour Albloushi, a healthcare professional and community volunteer from Fujairah, became Etihad Rail's first passenger on its inaugural service.

The launch attracted enormous public interest, with more than 10,000 tickets sold for the UAE's first national service.

The inaugural train departed Al Hilal City at 5.34am, carrying 400 passengers, and arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of schedule.

Passengers described the experience as seamless and calm, with families particularly appreciating the stress-free travel environment.