Egypt’s media outlets reported the arrival of the first train set to operate on the country’s inaugural high-speed rail network, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s transportation sector.
This fast train, part of the Ain Sokhna-Alamein-Matrouh line, signifies the first step in Egypt’s ambitious high-speed rail project.
Spanning an impressive 2,000 kilometers, the high-speed rail network is a feat of modern engineering, featuring 60 stations, two control and command centers, six maintenance points, 41 high-speed trains, 94 regional trains, and 40 freight locomotives. This extensive infrastructure aims to transform Egypt’s transportation landscape.
Brigadier General Ahmed Farouk, the supervisor of the high-speed electric train network project, highlighted the train’s capabilities. The high-speed train can reach a top speed of 250 km/h, with an operational speed of 230 km/h, and stations spaced approximately 50 kilometers apart.
This network is expected to accommodate between 1 to 2.5 million passengers daily.
The existing regional train at the central station boasts a top speed of 200 km/h, with an operational speed of 160 km/h, and stations placed about 25 kilometers apart, catering to 1.5 to 2.5 million passengers daily.
The freight locomotives, integral to the network’s logistics, will operate at speeds of up to 120 km/h. Upon completion, the network is projected to handle a massive 10 million tons of freight annually, with the German Railways overseeing its management for the next 15 years.
The project’s director revealed that the high-speed train, capable of speeds up to 250 km/h, is expected to arrive in August 2024. Trial operations without passengers are scheduled for the end of 2024, with passenger services commencing in 2025.
A 15-year operation contract, with an option for renewal, has been signed with the German Railways. This development promises to significantly reduce travel times, cutting the Cairo to Aswan journey to approximately 4.5 hours, and Cairo to Matrouh to around 3 hours, effectively halving the duration compared to current rail services.
Egypt’s foray into high-speed rail marks a transformative era in its transportation history, offering faster, more efficient travel options and positioning the country as a leader in modern rail infrastructure in the region.
