Etihad Rail Partners With Thrifty For UAE Rail-to-Road Rental Service
Etihad Rail joined forces with Thrifty UAE to launch a new Rail-to-Road Rental Service across the country. This exclusive 5-year agreement allows passengers to hire rental cars directly from stations across the national railway network.
The strategic multi-modal partnership aims to solve critical last-mile transport challenges for business travelers and regular regional commuters. Passengers are expected to book rental vehicles through Etihad Rail’s app and website or Thrifty’s platform.
The companies are still developing an integrated train-and-car booking process.
- Travelers reserve the Rail-to-Road Rental Service directly through the official Etihad Rail mobile app portal.
- Every station features digital self-service rental kiosks alongside manned physical customer assistance desks for immediate passenger help.
- Thrifty UAE plans to invest more than AED 10 million over 5 years, with approximately 500 vehicles initially allocated to the service.
Etihad Rail says it has sold more than 70,000 tickets during its introductory passenger phase. Separately, Thrifty UAE says more than half of train commuters globally use rentals or other shared-mobility services for onward travel.
This strategic partnership bridges crucial transport gaps while accelerating public transit adoption across major UAE population centers.
Expanding Transit Options Across All 11 Stations
Passenger service initially connected Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with Dubai Jumeirah Golf Estates station opening on September 30. Strategic regional expansion continues through late 2026, extending passenger network connectivity into western Abu Dhabi locations.
Sharjah University City Station is scheduled to open on March 30, 2027, completing the first currently announced phase of the passenger network.
| Metric or Phase | Operational Detail | Launch Timeline |
| Contract Duration | Exclusive 5-Year Partnership | Active Commercial Deal |
| Initial Fleet Size | 500 On-Demand Vehicles | Scalable Based on Demand |
| Strategic Capital | AED 10 Million Investment | Dedicated Digital Infrastructure |
| Phase 1 Routes | Abu Dhabi to Fujairah | June 30 Operational Launch |
| Phase 2 Expansion | Dubai (JGE) and Al Dhaid | Opening September 30 |
Integrating car rental fleets for the Rail-to-Road Rental Service creates an efficient travel ecosystem for daily commuters. Advanced AI features will soon power customer support and vehicle booking systems across all digital platforms.
Dedicated vehicle access helps business travelers reach final destinations without depending on traditional vehicle ownership.
Boosting Mobility With Rail-to-Road Rental Service
The launch of this dedicated Rail-to-Road Rental Service marks a crucial turning point for UAE transportation. By eliminating last-mile travel friction, Etihad Rail actively encourages car owners to transition toward efficient public transit. The partnership could make rail more practical for passengers whose destinations are not connected to stations, although pricing and the rental-service launch date remain unconfirmed.
Will this integrated rental model convince you to leave your personal car behind for intercity regional travel? Drop your thoughts below and follow ArabWheels Blog for upcoming coverage on regional public transit infrastructure and fleet market trends.