Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels, which reports to the Transport Ministry, plans to open on a trial basis the first two stations of the third phase of the light rail transit (LRT) line in April, a board member at the authority told Al Manassa. The phase is expected to cost up to $250 million, the source said.
The source, who requested anonymity, said the two stations are Cathedral of the Nativity and Strategic Command. Two other stations in the same phase are expected to begin trial operations late this year.
The LRT is a high-speed, electrified regional rail system that connects Greater Cairo to the New Administrative Capital (NAC) and the industrial city of 10th of Ramadan.
The third phase extends 20.4 kilometers and includes four stations: Cathedral of the Nativity, Strategic Command, International Sports City, and Central Capital, all major landmarks located in the NAC. It is being implemented by a consortium comprising China’s AVIC, Arab Contractors, and Orascom, the source said.
Project financing came through a $150 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China (Chexim), which also financed the first and second phases, the source said, adding that the remaining costs were covered through domestic financing.
The source said the foreign financing was directed toward purchasing electrical and mechanical systems, signaling, communications, centralized control and ticket gates, while domestic loans covered construction works including stations and track alignment, implemented by Egyptian companies.
The source said the ministry intends to keep ticket prices unchanged when the two new stations open, prices to be reviewed after the phase is completed and enters service in early 2027.
Construction at the remaining two stations in the third phase is proceeding on schedule and has reached 75% completion, the source said, adding that the remaining work is expected to be finished this year and followed by trial operations without passengers.
Monthly ridership is expected to reach 4.5 million passengers once the third phase is fully operational, and to rise further after the project’s fourth and fifth phases are completed, the source said.
The government opened the project’s first and second phases in July 2022, spanning 68 kilometers, with $1.2 billion in financing through a Chexim loan.
The LRT connects to the Adly Mansour interchange station, which allows transfers between Metro Line 3, the Cairo-Suez railway, the Super Jet station, and the intercity bus terminal.
Ticket prices range from 10 Egyptian pounds for short trips of up to three stations to 20 pounds for longer trips exceeding seven stations. Monthly passes range from 300 to 600 pounds and allow unlimited travel for the month.
In September 2022, the Transport Ministry announced a 30% to 40% cut in LRT ticket prices from earlier rates of 15 to 35 pounds, pending the relocation of government employees to Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Prices have not been adjusted since.
