A consortium made up of Canadian transport company Bombardier, Egyptian contractor Orascom and Egyptian state construction firm Arab Contractors has been selected to design and build two Egyptian monorail lines worth $4.5bn.
The first line will run 54km from East Cairo to the New Administrative Capital being built in the desert east of Cairo.
The second will run 42km between 6th October City and Giza.Â
According to the companies, the driverless trains will be able to reach speeds of 80km/h, although the journey time to the New Administrative Capital is expected to be an hour.Â
Together, the two lines will be able to transport around 45,000 passenger per hour.
Danny Di Perna, Bombardier Transportation’s president, said: "Our Innovia Monorail 300 technology has proved to be a game-changer in the industry, as it allows fast construction of high-capacity transit lines at lower costs.
"With its advanced technology, unmatched safety features and attractive aerodynamic design, this platform will improve the quality of life of millions of residents by reducing their daily commuting time as well as reducing traffic congestion."
Bombardier’s share of the $4.5bn contract is $2.9bn; Orascom’s is $900m. After construction, the team will operate and maintain the system for 30 years.
In January, China lent Egypt $1.2bn for an electric railway from Cairo to the new capital.
Image: Artist’s rendering of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, planned for a 725 sq km site in the desert east of Cairo (Courtesy of the Urban Development Consortium, UDC+5)
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