“Exclusive Aerial Footage: First of 55 Air-Conditioned Metro Trains from Alstom Arrives in Alexandria – A Landmark in the Egypt-France Transport Agreement”
Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Announces Arrival of the First Air-Conditioned Metro Train for Cairo Metro Line 1 at Alexandria Port – Part of the 55-Train Supply Deal with French Company Alstom under the Joint Roadmap Signed Between Egypt’s Ministry of Transport and France’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The Minister:
- This deal is a key milestone in the Ministry’s comprehensive plan to upgrade Cairo Metro Line 1, including full modernization of its systems and rolling stock.
- It also aims to accommodate the growing passenger demand following the expansion of the metro network and the planned extension of Line 1 (from New El-Marg to Shebin El-Qanater), currently under study.
In line with the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, to expand the development of eco-friendly, sustainable green mass transit systems using the latest global technologies to provide world-class services to Egyptian citizens —
Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, announced the arrival of the first fully air-conditioned train for Cairo Metro Line 1 at the Port of Alexandria. This delivery marks the beginning of the major contract with French mobility leader Alstom to design, manufacture, test, and deliver 55 nine-car trains.
The agreement includes one major comprehensive overhaul for each train, the supply of spare parts, equipment for Tora Workshop, and full maintenance services for a period of 8 years. The project is being financed through a favorable government-backed loan from the French government and is part of the joint roadmap signed between the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The Minister emphasized that the project is designed to absorb the anticipated increase in passenger volumes on Line 1 once the full 5-line metro network is completed and the Line 1 extension from New El-Marg to Shebin El-Qanater is implemented, which is currently under review.
This initiative falls within the Ministry’s broader plan to fully upgrade Line 1, which encompasses not only the introduction of 55 new air-conditioned trains from the French side but also the refurbishment of 23 existing trains through an agreement with a Spanish partner. In parallel, a national Egyptian company has been commissioned to upgrade Tora Workshop to accommodate the new fleet.
Moreover, a tri-national consortium (Egyptian-French-Japanese) has been contracted to overhaul the line’s signaling, communications, central control systems, track infrastructure, electromechanical works, and electrical power systems — ensuring a seamless, state-of-the-art passenger experience.
Key Features of the New Trains:
- High-capacity air conditioning systems for improved passenger comfort
- Safe gangways between cars, allowing passengers to move freely throughout the train
- Front-facing CCTV cameras for centralized tracking and surveillance
- LCD screens for real-time travel information and digital advertising opportunities
- Display panels above the side doors to show the final destination station before boarding
- Dedicated wheelchair spaces equipped with secure fasteners for persons with disabilities
- Digital route maps above doorways featuring illuminated indicators to assist passengers with hearing impairments
These cutting-edge upgrades mark a new chapter in Egypt’s public transport sector, reaffirming the government’s commitment to modern, inclusive, and sustainable mobility solutions for all citizens.
