Egypt receives more railway passenger vehicles from Russia

EGYPT – Egypt has received a total of 13 new railway passenger vehicles from Russia to enhance capacity of the country’s railway transport system.

According to a statement by Egypt’ Minister of Transport Kamel Al-Wazir, the 13 new vehicles arrived at Egypt’s Alexandria Port from Russia in August this year and are part of a deal to manufacture and supply 1,300 new vehicles.

Their arrival, according to the minister totals the number of passenger vehicle received so far to 46- third class vehicles with dynamic ventilation.

He further noted that the country expects to received another 22 new vehicles before the of August, after which the remaining batch will arrive in batches of an average of 35 vehicles per month, according to the specified schedule.

Egypt signed a contract back in 2018 with the Russian-Hungarian Transmach holding Company to supply 1,300 train coaches to the Egyptian National Railways.

The railway contract was part of Egypt’s government aim to overhaul railway facilities though the periodic updating of infrastructure and coaches, focusing on safety and aiming to utilize unconventional methods to provide further resources to implement developmental plans.

The contract is estimated to cost Egypt US$1.37 billion and is the largest contract for railway passenger vehicles in the history of Egyptian Railways Authority, according to the Minister of Transport.

The 1,300 new passenger vehicles deal includes 800 air-conditioned vehicles (500 third-class air-conditioned vehicles, a new service that is offered to passengers for the first time in the history of Egypt Railways.

It also comprised of 180 luxurious second-class vehicles, 90 luxurious first-class vehicles and 30 air-conditioned buffet cars.

The Ministry of Transport noted that the new carriages will be gradually added to the daily operating schedule of the railway.

Their arrival will contribute to the continuation of improving the service provided to the public of passengers and making a huge qualitative leap in the level of the vehicle fleet of the railway.

Liked this article? Subscribe to DealStreet Africa News, our regular email newsletter with the latest news, deals and insights from Africa’s business, economy and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE