From left to right: Azza Alsuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, and Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group Middle East, signing the Memorandum of Understanding/Image: Supplied
Yango Group, a global tech company, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Etihad Rail, which oversees the development and operation of the national railway network in the UAE. This agreement was signed during the second edition of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi. The MoU aims to facilitate the integration of Yango’s ride-hailing services into the forthcoming passenger rail system, thus enhancing the overall travel experience from start to finish.
As part of the MoU, both companies will collaborate on operating procedures at Etihad Rail stations, which will feature dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones for passengers, efficient vehicle entry and exit protocols, and strategies to manage traffic during peak hours to mitigate congestion. These initiatives are intended to provide passengers with a seamless and efficient transit experience.
Additionally, the agreement discusses a subsequent phase of collaboration aimed at technical integration. Future developments may enable passengers to plan and book their entire journey on a single platform, allowing functionalities such as purchasing train tickets through the Yango app or booking Yango rides via Etihad Rail’s online services. This approach seeks to create a unified system for travel planning and payments.
Enhancing the UAE’s Expanding Passenger Rail Network
Etihad Rail’s passenger service is set to be operational by 2026, linking 11 cities and regions across the UAE with trains designed to accommodate up to 400 passengers at speeds of up to 200 km/h. Projections indicate an annual ridership of 36.5 million by 2030, which will generate a substantial need for dependable first- and last-mile connectivity solutions. Yango Group contributes significant global experience, having completed 1.2 billion rides in over 30 countries, supported by 2.1 million registered partner drivers.
Azza Alsuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, remarked, “This collaboration with Yango Group demonstrates our dedication to establishing an integrated and sustainable mobility ecosystem. With the launch of passenger services approaching in 2026, we are setting new standards for convenient, safe, and reliable travel throughout the UAE.”
Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group Middle East, commented, “Partnering with Etihad Rail allows us to introduce advanced mobility technology to one of the region’s most ambitious transport initiatives. This collaboration promotes a transition to rail and shared mobility, fostering coordinated travel and improving connectivity between emirates for both residents and visitors.”
There is a growing demand for integrated mobility solutions among passengers. In Dubai, public transportation and shared mobility options, along with taxi services, have reportedly served approximately 395.3 million riders in the first half of 2025 as per the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The partnership between Etihad Rail and Yango Group directly responds to this emerging demand, paving the way for a multimodal transport ecosystem that aspires to redefine convenience and connectivity in the UAE.