Etihad Rail's passenger service could change how people travel between the UAE's cities, but its long-term success will depend on how easily passengers can get from the train to their final destination, transport experts say.

Passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi began on September 30, adding a new option for journeys that have long relied on private cars. The service connects Dubai's Al Yalayis Station with Abu Dhabi, while passenger trains between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah began operating in June.

Roger Cruikshank, Senior Director, Road and Rail, at AtkinsRéalis Middle East, said the railway offered a viable public transport alternative for inter-emirate travel. But getting people to use it regularly would require more than a train between cities. "The real opportunity lies in how well the rail network connects with existing transport systems within each city," he said.

Dubai's Al Yalayis Station illustrates the point. A pedestrian bridge links the Etihad Rail station to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, giving passengers access to the Dubai Metro Red Line for onward travel across the city.

"Passengers will be able to continue their journey on public transport rather than relying on separate onward travel arrangements," Cruikshank said.

As the national network grows, the ease of transferring between trains, metros and buses could determine whether rail becomes part of people's everyday routines, rather than simply another way to travel between stations.

(Source: Khaleej Times)