Imagine stepping onto a train that feels less like a means of transport and more like an extension of your daily life. That is central to our ambition for rail here in the UAE, where we are striving to create an experience where comfort, speed and sustainability converge – where technology makes your journey seamless and time on board feels valuable, not lost.
This aspiration may feel lofty, but it recognises that around the world, passenger expectations of rail travel are changing at extraordinary speed. The question facing Etihad Rail and Keolis is not whether our partnership can rise to the challenge, but how boldly our partnership will respond.
Railways have always been about more than the sum of their infrastructure. They are engines of connection – between people, cities and economies. In today’s world – where the smartphone is as essential as a ticket – passengers no longer judge a journey only by punctuality. Our potential customers expect rail to be flexible, digitally enabled, sustainable and human-centred. It should be orientated around the passenger and molded to the way they live.
Consider this: by 2030, global passenger demand for rail is forecast to rise by almost 50 per cent, in no small part driven by a combination of urbanisation, population growth and the urgent strategic push towards low-carbon transport. Rail emits a small fraction of CO2 per passenger-kilometre compared to private cars and planes, making it central to global climate strategies. In the UAE, where the population is projected to exceed 11 million by 2031, rail offers not just a solution for mobility, but a pathway to shaping a more connected, sustainable society. It is one of reasons for Etihad Rail’s inclusion in the ‘Project of the 50’ – a series of developmental and economic projects that aim to accelerate the UAE’s development, and transform it into a comprehensive hub in all sectors.
Together, Etihad Rail and Keolis have been asking ourselves, what do passengers really want from rail in the 21st century? The answer is strikingly consistent across continents: speed, reliability, and simplicity. In fact, according to the UIC-McKinsey report Boosting Passenger Preference for Rail (2022), 87 per cent of respondents indicated that reliability, speed and convenience are among their top decision criteria in choosing modes of transport. But equally important are less tangible qualities: a sense of dignity, comfort and confidence that their journey is part of a bigger commitment to community and planet.
AI and apps power modern rail
It’s here that it is important to single out the benefits of digital services in particular – real-time updates, easy ticketing, personalised offers – that significantly improve passenger satisfaction. In parallel, demand for greener choices is no longer niche. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), two-thirds of global travellers now consider environmental impact when making transport decisions.
From the outset, Etihad Rail and Keolis have been clear that technology must not be an add-on – it is the backbone of the modern passenger experience. From AI-driven scheduling that reduces delays, to apps that allow passengers to plan, pay and personalise their trips in seconds, rail is increasingly defined by digital innovation.
Smart ticketing in Europe has cut boarding times, while predictive maintenance powered by AI has reduced breakdowns in advanced rail networks. In the UAE, where connectivity and digital fluency are hallmarks of our society, rail services will need to deliver this same seamlessness – where every stage of the journey, from booking to arrival, feels effortless.
But technology’s role should not solely be focused on convenience, it should also enable inclusivity. Passenger information systems tailored in multiple languages, step-free access guided by digital tools, and services for people with reduced mobility are all part of redefining what it means to be passenger-first, and our partnership will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to explore how technology can help all passengers experience the benefits of rail travel.
Technology meets sustainability on track
If technology is the enabler, sustainability is the moral compass of modern rail. It’s widely accepted that transport accounts for nearly 25 per cent of global CO₂ emissions. Passenger rail is uniquely positioned to change this trajectory. In France, for instance, where Keolis is headquartered, legislation now restricts short-haul flights where an equivalent train journey exists under 2.5 hours – this is itself a recognition of rail’s ability to offer greener, equally efficient alternatives.
And for the UAE, sustainability is not just a policy goal, it has become part of a national ethos. The commitment to achieve net zero by 2050 places rail at the heart of the country’s transition. Every passenger who chooses rail over a car or plane contributes to cleaner air, quieter cities, and a more resilient climate future. This is where partnership matters -combining global best practice with local ambition to create a rail system that is both world-class and uniquely Emirati.
Ultimately, rail is not about trains – it is about people. It is about a commuter in Abu Dhabi who no longer must worry about driving back and forth to reach their destination. A student in Fujairah who can travel affordably to opportunities in Dubai. A family who chooses the train because it feels safer, cleaner, and better for their children’s future.
These stories will define the success of passenger rail in the UAE and beyond. They remind us that infrastructure is only as valuable as the lives it improves.
So, as Etihad Rail and Keolis embark on this new chapter together, we share a profound responsibility: to build a passenger rail system that anticipates tomorrow’s expectations, not yesterday’s standards. A system that blends technology and sustainability, efficiency and empathy.
But this future is not shaped by operators alone. It is a collective endeavour – of policymakers who prioritise rail in mobility strategies, of businesses who integrate it into their logistics and workforce planning, and of passengers who embrace it as their first choice of travel.
The evolution of passenger rail is happening now. The opportunity is to ensure it unfolds in a way that redefines not only how we move, but how we live.
Follow us on
