Cairo monorail starts commercial service

On 6 May in the Egyptian capital El Qahira (Cairo) commercial service started at the first 16 stations 56.5km East Nile automated monorail that uses Alstom Innovia 300 technology with 70 Derby-built four-car trains, from a temporary terminus at El-Moshir Tantawi to the New Capital (Justice City). Service operates 06.00-18.00. The line was built by Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors. Ticket prices are based on a zonal structure ranging from EGl 20 to EGL 80, with a 50% discount for children and seniors. Service is due to be extended by six stations from El-Moshir Tantawi to an interchange with metro line 3 at Cairo Stadium. The East Nile line is one of two lines contracted to be built at a cost of EUR 2.7bn, with Alstom providing 30 years of operation and maintenance. The second will be the 42km West Nile line linking metro line 3 at Wadi El Nile to Giza, still under construction.