The key facts
- Miral and Etihad Rail have agreed on a 'first and last mile' shuttle between Mohamed bin Zayed City station and Yas Island attractions
- The free service will complement the Yas Express network, which already operates within the city and to Dubai and the Northern Emirates
- Etihad Rail passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah has been running since June 30; MR1 and MR2 routes and paid shuttles costing AED 10 are also in operation
Miral and Etihad Rail Partnership
Miral, the operator of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and railway operator Etihad Rail have signed an agreement on 'first and last mile' transport that will connect the island with the urban railway station. A free shuttle network will link Mohamed bin Zayed City station with Miral's theme parks, including Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World and SeaWorld. Miral stated that a key priority is to make the journey 'as seamless as possible'.
Quotes from the Parties
Liza Goswell, Senior Vice President of Sales at Miral Destinations, called the collaboration an important step towards a more integrated route connecting rail service with the Yas Express network for guests' convenience, and noted its contribution to the UAE's vision of 'smart and sustainable mobility' and the growth of the tourism sector. Adhraa Almansouri, Executive Director of Commercial and Support at Etihad Rail Mobility, emphasized that the company strives to make passenger railways a practical and convenient part of travel across the country.
Existing Routes
The agreement will complement already operating shuttles. Yas Express takes tourists to the parks across the city, including destinations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The Yas Express ER1 route connects Abu Dhabi station with Yas Mall (boarding at the northern entrance): the free shuttle departs from the station at 7:40, 13:05 and 19:35 (30 minutes travel time), and back from Yas Mall at 12:15 and 16:15 (45 minutes).
Etihad Rail Network Development
Etihad Rail has been expanding 'first and last mile' services since the launch of passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30. For trips to central Abu Dhabi, AD Mobility introduced routes MR1 and MR2: MR1 connects Mohamed bin Zayed City station with the Main Bus Terminal (stops at Al Jazeera Club, Al Mushrif Mall and the Al Rawdah interchange), and MR2 connects with the Al Zahiyah bus terminal via Al Rawdah and the Mazyad interchange, in both directions. In addition, Etihad Rail operates shuttles to Reem Mall, Adnec and Adnoc HQ for AED 10 per trip on top of the train ticket price.
