As Etihad Rail's Al Yalayis station in Dubai prepares to open on September 30, the operator has outlined five further changes that will reshape travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai may get a second station beyond Al Yalayis, with Meydan floated as a possible site that would tie into the future Dubai Metro Gold Line by 2032.
A high-speed rail service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is also being planned, with two Dubai stops envisaged: one at Al Maktoum International Airport and another in Al Jaddaf. Running at 350km/h, the service would cut journey times to just 30 minutes, down from 57 minutes on today's regular trains.
A dedicated footbridge will link the Etihad Rail station directly to Jumeirah Golf Estates metro station on the Red Line, easing transfers for commuters.
An 80-kilometre "Fourth Corridor" highway connecting Abu Dhabi to Sharjah will also tie into the rail network, cutting journey times by up to 60 per cent once complete.
Separately, Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail have agreed to study a shuttle service between Zayed International Airport and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City station.
Nol cards remain valid for fares on the standard 200km/h service. Together, the changes point to Etihad Rail evolving from a single passenger line into the backbone of the UAE's intercity transport network.