Etihad Rail map: Where are the other stations as Dubai launch is now just one week away?

The daily commute from Abu Dhabi to Dubai can consume up to two hours each way due to peak-hour traffic. Etihad Rail plans to launch a new passenger rail service on September 30, cutting the travel time to about 57 minutes, roughly half the time taken by road. This faster route could offer more than just a quicker journey. HR experts suggest it could provide employers with access to a broader talent pool and give jobseekers more opportunities to explore roles in the other emirate.

However, the commuters with the most to gain are those who make the trip regularly. We asked them to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of using the train.

Akshata Kamath, a 31-year-old media professional, lives in Abu Dhabi and commutes to Dubai almost daily for her job in Media City. While she wouldn't rely on the train every day, she believes it would be more convenient than spending two to three hours in a car. The train's free Wi-Fi allows her to respond to emails and catch up on work during the journey. Living close to the Abu Dhabi station in MBZ City, she would also use the train a few times a month.

Shreya Parthasarathy, a consultant, commutes from Abu Dhabi to Downtown Dubai once or twice a week. She would consider taking the train a few times a week, especially if she doesn't own a car or wants to avoid the expense and time of a taxi. The additional cost of getting to and from the stations is a minor consideration, as the train fare is cheaper than a taxi and faster than taking a bus.

Rasha Abushamaa, a Jordanian expatriate with four children, used to drive daily from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for work. She finds the road trip long and tiresome, and sees the train as a way to make the time count. If she could park her car at the MBZ station and take the train from there, it would be quite convenient, especially since her children's school is in MBZ area. She plans to try the train for a family trip to Fujairah.