Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, accompanied by Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir on Saturday attended the start of pilot operations for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
The Prime Minister prior said that there are orders from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to quickly complete the components of the new mass transit system.
Madbouly explained the project represents a qualitative leap forward that facilitates the movement of citizens quickly and safely, and keeps in pace with the huge development process that Egypt is currently witnessing.
The Transport Minister said that the implementation of the electric light rail project comes within the political leadership’s directives to expand the establishment of a green, clean and environment-friendly mass transit network, and President Sisi’s orders to inaugurate the LRT project, which includes: (al-Salam – the New Administrative Capital – the 10th of Ramadan ) by March.
Madbouly also followed up on the final touches of the finishing works for the first phase (from Adly Mansour station to the Arts and Culture station in the New Administrative Capital) in preparation for the opening of the project during the planned date.
The Prime Minister and Transport Minister took one of the trains, which is running experimentally from al-Shorouk Station to Badr Station; to check on the progress of the trial operations.
Madbouly also inspected the project’s stations, starting with the Adly Mansour Central Interchange Station which will include an integrated transport complex and a commercial investment zone, on an area of 15 acres.
And he further oversaw the tests being carried out on the supplied trains, as 12 trains (each with six coaches) arrived from a total of 22 vehicles needed for operation and the remaining 10 trains currently being shipped – all at a total cost of $227 million.
The new trains will be part of the state’s aims to overhaul the transportation system, positively impacting the livelihood of citizens by allowing them to move between the edges of the new urban cities with ease.
The project line guarantees speedy transportation between Cairo and the new cities (Obour – Mostakbal – Shorouk – New Heliopolis – Badr – Industrial Zone and the 10th of Ramadan – the New Administrative Capital).
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed an agreement in September 2017 to construct a $739 million electric train linking 10th of Ramadan City and New Cairo with the New Administrative Capital.
