Egypt is set to boost the world’s sixth-longest high-speed network after the completion of its first high-speed electric railway, Michael Peter, CEO of Germany’s Siemens, which was awarded the venture, told Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday during the inauguration of the TransMEA 2021.
Peter revealed that the four-line network, which will extend over 1,800 kilometers and links the country’s eastern and northern coasts, will serve up to 30 million citizens annually, cutting their travel time from an average of 4 to 2 hours.
The $23 billion electrical systems will reduce air pollution by cutting emissions by 70 percent, compared to car and bus transportation he noted.
A consortium made up of Siemens Mobility, Orascom Construction and the Arab Contractors has signed a contract with Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) to deliver an Egyptian rail system that will feature the country’s first high-speed, electrified main and freight rail line.
The first high-speed electric railway, whose first phase is set to be completed in 2023, is one of Egypt’s new transportation ventures meant to work side-by-side with the 1,000 kilometer-long diesel-powered train network.
The country pushes ahead with expanding new smart cities and building modern transport systems to upgrade road networks and reduce travel time, transportation costs, and fuel consumption. The country also seeks to boost trade exchange, reduce accident rates, and protect the environment.
