Alstom has been awarded a contract to supply rolling stock for the upgrade of one of Cairo’s metro lines.

The contract, awarded by Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels, is worth 876 million euros for 55 nine-car trains and an eight-year maintenance programme.

Alstom’s proposal included a unique design to reflect Cairo’s history and culture. The French Government will provide the Finance.

Launched in 1987, Cairo Metro line 1 is the oldest metro line in Egypt, moving approximately 2.5 million passengers daily between El Marg and Helwan.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, said “We are honoured to play a role in the development and modernisation of Egypt’s urban network and are grateful for the National Authority for Tunnels confidence in Alstom’s Metropolis solution. It is a proven and technologically advanced platform. With a fleet of about 495 Metropolis cars, more residents will be able to commute safely and comfortably every day. We thank H.E. Kamel El-Wazir, Egyptian Minister for Transport, the National Tunnel Authority, the French authorities, and all those who have made this project possible for the benefit of the Egyptian people.”

Design and construction will be carried out in France at the Alstom site in Valenciennes Petite-Forêt. Other French sites involved are Le Creusot, for the bogies and motor integration; Villeurbanne, for the passenger information systems; and Toulouse, for electrical engineering. Up to 98% of the trains will be recyclable. At peak times, each train will be able to carry 2,580 passengers.

The trains’ interior layout will be tailored to the specific requirements of the line, and designed to maximise train capacity while enhancing comfort, accessibility and passenger flow. They will have wide corridors and a dedicated women’s area.

Andrew deLeone, President, Africa, Middle East and Central Asia Region for Alstom and M. Essam Wally, Chairman NAT

Digital solutions will provide real-time passenger information, dynamic route maps, video displays and video surveillance.

Alstom’s condition-based and predictive maintenance solution known as HealthHubTM will minimise maintenance costs. That uses enhanced data collection to optimise lifecycle costs. The aim is to achieve up to a 20% saving in preventive maintenance labour costs and a reduction of 15% in material usage. Maintenance will be carried out at the Line 1 depot in Cairo and managed locally.

A training and development plan will be rolled out in conjunction with The Egyptian Company for Metros (ECM), the operator and maintainer of Line 1.

“We are honoured to play a role in the development and modernisation of Egypt’s urban network and are grateful for the National Authority for Tunnels confidence in Alstom’s Metropolis solution. It is a proven and technologically advanced platform. With a fleet of about 495 Metropolis cars, more residents will be able to commute safely and comfortably every day. We thank H.E. Kamel El-Wazir, Egyptian Minister for Transport, the National Tunnel Authority, the French authorities, and all those who have made this project possible for the benefit of the Egyptian people,” said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom.