One of Egypt’s LRT trains runs along the track during the transit system’s trial operation Sunday. Xinhua
Egypt’s first electrified light rail transit (LRT) system jointly built by Chinese and Egyptian companies started its trial run Sunday (local time).
Shenzhen Metro Group was one of the Chinese companies that assisted the rail project’s construction.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi took the first LRT ride at its inauguration ceremony, which was also attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang.
The LRT project is the fruit of a US$1.24 billion contract signed in August 2017 between Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) and the consortium of China Railway Engineering Corp. and AVIC International Holding Corp.
Shenzhen Metro Group signed agreements with the consortium in December 2019 and March 2021 to provide the intercity railway 1.5 years of operation preparation and two years of operation supervision service. Since January 2021, the company has sent over 40 technicians to Cairo to provide technological assistance and assist in testing, operation and training.
The rail project, a major project between China and Egypt under the Belt and Road Initiative, connects the New Administrative Capital (NAC) being constructed in the east of Cairo with surrounding distant new cities and districts including El-Salam, 10th of Ramadan, El-Obour, Badr and El-Shorouk cities.
Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel el-Wazir said the LRT’s first phase contains 22 trains and will serve 360,000 passengers daily.
“The project was financed by China, adopted Chinese technology and equipment, and was jointly implemented by Chinese and Egyptian enterprises,” Liao said.