Cairo: Egypt will inaugurate the first phase of the East Cairo Monorail on November 9, 2025, a milestone project linking Greater Cairo with New Cairo and the New Administrative Capital (NAC). The launch will coincide with the trial operation of Egypt’s new high-speed electric train, part of a broader national drive to modernise transport and ease congestion across the capital region.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, during the second Cairo Forum, organized by the Egyptian Centre for Economic Studies, with participation from senior officials and experts representing 27 countries. El-Wazir described the monorail as a significant leap in urban mobility, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure.

Stretching 56.5 kilometres, the East Cairo Monorail will run from Stadium Station in Nasr City to the Operations and Control Centre in the NAC, serving 22 stations along its route. The line connects with Metro Line 3 at Stadium Station and with the Light Rail Transit (LRT) at the Arts and Culture Station in the new capital, creating a seamless link between Cairo’s older districts and its expanding eastern suburbs. When fully completed, the monorail network will span 100 kilometres and 35 stations, including the planned West Nile line. Together, they will form a key component of the capital’s integrated transport system.

Built by a consortium of Alstom, Orascom Construction, and Arab Contractors, the East Cairo Monorail will feature driverless trains controlled from a central hub in the NAC. The system will be equipped with advanced monitoring tools, onboard cameras, and fire-safety sensors. Each station features 12-14 escalators, four elevators, tactile walkways for individuals with visual impairments, digital display boards, and voice-guidance systems.

Powered entirely by electricity, the trains will reach speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour, carrying 560 passengers per train, approximately 10,000 passengers per direction per hour, thereby helping to cut fuel use and reduce traffic emissions. For the first time in Egypt, monorail stations are equipped with platform screen doors to enhance passenger safety. Each four-car train can be expanded to eight cars as ridership increases and includes CCTV coverage, dedicated wheelchair spaces, and safe evacuation routes for emergencies.