Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, recently inspected the Siemens testing centre in Germany as part of the pre-launch procedures for Egypt’s first high-speed electric train, the Velaro.
The minister personally conducted the test drive of the train, marking a significant step towards the completion of all required operational and testing processes before its shipment to Egypt, expected by October.
The Egyptian high-speed electric rail network, currently under construction, will span 2,000 km and feature three main lines.
This ambitious project is a collaboration between Siemens, Orascom Construction, and Arab Contractors, with Siemens leading the electromechanical system installations.
At present, the construction of the first line, spanning from Sokhna to Matrouh, is nearing completion.
The national Egyptian companies are finishing the bridges and handing them over to the Siemens-Orascom-Arab Contractors alliance for the installation of essential systems including electric traction, signaling, communications, and control systems.
Siemens is also manufacturing all the rolling stock for the network, including 41 high-speed Velaro trains designed to operate at speeds up to 250 km/h, 94 regional Desiro trains with a design speed of 200 km/h, and 41 Vectron electric locomotives capable of reaching 120 km/h.
Following the tests, El-Wazir expressed satisfaction with the results and praised the fruitful collaboration with Siemens.
He highlighted the project as a pivotal element in President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s directive to expand Egypt’s green, sustainable mass transit systems under the new republic framework.
The high-speed rail network not only aims to enhance transportation in Egypt but also seeks to significantly boost economic development.
The network will serve both existing and new urban and industrial areas such as Helwan, Borg El Arab, and the new administrative and industrial zones in Minya and Asyut.
It will also improve connectivity to major cultural, historical, religious, and coastal tourist destinations across Egypt, contributing to a quantum leap in the country’s transport capabilities and sustainable development.
This project exemplifies the strong friendship and cooperation between Egypt and Germany, aiming to reshape public transportation in Egypt and significantly aid in the country’s sustainable development goals.