Etihad Rail passengers will soon be able to rent cars directly from railway stations under a new “Rail to Road” service launched through an exclusive five-year partnership with Thrifty Car Rental UAE.
The service will allow passengers to book rental vehicles via the Etihad Rail app, website or Thrifty’s platform, with digital kiosks and assistance desks available at all 11 passenger stations.
The companies are also working to integrate train ticket and car rental bookings into a single digital process, making it easier for passengers to complete the final leg of their journeys.
Thrifty UAE said it will invest more than Dh10 million over the next five years to expand its fleet, enhance digital infrastructure and improve customer experience. An initial fleet of around 500 vehicles will be deployed, with further expansion planned based on demand.
Etihad Rail launched the first phase of its passenger service on June 30, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The network is expected to carry around 10 million passengers annually once fully operational.