Etihad Rail and Miral to link Mohamed bin Zayed City station with Yas Island by shuttle

Etihad Rail and Miral, the company behind Yas Island, have agreed to connect the Mohamed bin Zayed City rail station in Abu Dhabi with Yas Island and several districts of the capital through a network of shuttle buses. The National reported the partnership on 21 October 2026. For residents and buyers in Abu Dhabi, the move adds another car-free way to reach the capital's leisure hub and its central bus stations directly from the national rail line.

What was announced

The agreement brings together Miral Destinations, Etihad Rail and AD Mobility to cover the first and last mile of a rail journey. According to The National, 21 October 2026, the existing Yas Express ER1 route links the station with the north entrance of Yas Mall, taking about 30 minutes from the station and 45 minutes on the return. It departs the station at 7:40am, 1:05pm and 7:35pm, and leaves Yas Mall at 12:15pm and 4:15pm. From Yas Mall, visitors can reach Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World and SeaWorld.

Two new AD Mobility routes extend the reach into the city. Route MR1 runs between the station and Abu Dhabi's Main Bus Station, stopping at Al Jazeera Club, Al Mushrif Mall and the Al Rawdah interchange, while MR2 connects the station with Al Zahiyah Bus Station via Al Rawdah and the Mazyad Bus Interchange. Both operate in each direction. Separately, paid Etihad Rail shuttles serve Reem Mall, Adnec and Adnoc headquarters for Dh10 per journey on top of the train fare, according to The National, 21 October 2026.

What it means for buyers and investors

The announcement does not include a start date for the new free shuttle network, so timing remains to be confirmed. What is clear is that Abu Dhabi is steadily widening the catchment of its rail network. Passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah began on 30 June, and connections like these make homes near the Mohamed bin Zayed City station and districts such as Reem Island more reachable without a car.

For anyone weighing a purchase, transport links are a practical factor in day-to-day living and in long-term appeal. Lisa Goswell of Miral Destinations called the collaboration an important step towards a more integrated journey, while Adhraa Almansoori of Etihad Rail Mobility said the aim is to make passenger rail a practical part of how people move across the country. Buyers should still check published timetables and confirm which services are free before relying on a specific route.