This initiative aligns with the agreement finalized with the French company Alstom for the design, manufacturing, testing, preparation for service, and supply of 55 nine-car trains. The agreement also encompasses a significant overhaul with spare parts for these trains, the provision of equipment for the Tora workshop, and an 8-year maintenance program, facilitated by French government funding. The arrival of the car is part of the joint roadmap signed between the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Al Wazir clarified that this project aims to accommodate the
growing number of passengers on Line 1 following the completion of the
five-line metro network and the planned extension of Line 1 from New El-Marg to
Shibin El-Qanater. This extension, currently under study, will address the
increasing transport demands along that route.
This also comes within the framework of the Ministry of
Transport's plan to modernize Line 1 by upgrading all systems and rolling
stock. To this end, contracts have been awarded for the supply of 55 new
air-conditioned trains (French), the rehabilitation of 23 existing trains
(Spanish), and the development of the Tora workshop by a national company to
accommodate the new fleet. Furthermore, an Egyptian-French-Japanese consortium
will undertake the modernization of signaling, communication, central control
systems, track work, electromechanical components, and electrical power
infrastructure.
It is worth noting that these new trains boast high-capacity air conditioning, secure inter-car passages for enhanced passenger comfort, and front-mounted television cameras for central track monitoring. Passenger information and potential commercial content are displayed on LCD screens, while screens above the side doors indicate the final destination before boarding. Furthermore, dedicated wheelchair spaces with fastening devices facilitate accessibility for passengers with special needs. The carriages also feature electronic route maps with illuminated indicators above the interior doors, aiding hearing-impaired individuals.