By: Aisha Al Kaabi and Muwaffaq Mohammed
The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated a new phase of its development projects towards a more sustainable future, as the country witnessed a historic moment yesterday morning in its mobility journey with the launch of the first Etihad Rail passenger train from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of the soft opening of the country's first national passenger rail network.
In a journey that embodied the country's vision towards a more connected future, the train moved along the track of national achievements in the early hours of dawn from the coast of Fujairah in the east to Abu Dhabi in the west, linking the two emirates through a modern transport system that reflects the scale of development the country is witnessing in its infrastructure and logistics sectors.
Al Bayan witnessed the remarkable demand for the service, which saw more than 10,000 tickets sold before operations began, while the first day saw 6 trips operated.
At Fujairah station, an atmosphere of pride and enthusiasm prevailed as passengers and media gathered to witness this exceptional moment. The scene carried profound human and national dimensions, as Hamad Mansour Al Blooshi, a person of determination, became the first passenger to board an Etihad Rail train, holding ticket number 1 and seated in seat number 1 in coach number 1, making him the first traveller in the history of the national passenger rail network.
Hamad was chosen from among candidates nominated by individuals from across the country as part of a campaign launched by Etihad Rail to select