the first phase of Cairo's Light Rail Transit opened

President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has inaugurated the first phase of the 103 km Capital Train ‘light rail transit’ electric suburban railway which is being built to connect Cairo with 10th Ramadan City and the New Administrative Capital.

The ceremony was held on 3 July with passenger services starting the following day.

The 68·8 km first phase starts at an interchange with Cairo Metro Line 3 at the Adly Mansour transport hub east of Cairo and runs largely at-grade eastwards alongside the Ismailia Highway for 28·6 km through Obour, Shorouk and New Heliopolis City to a junction at Badr. The line then splits, with one branch turning north to Knowledge City in 10th Ramadan City, and the other running south to Arts & Culture City in the New Administrative Capital.

There are 12 stations, including seven bridges, three tunnels, two substations and one depot.

The second phase will extend the NAC branch by 18.5 km and four stations, and the third phase will add 16 km and three stations to serve the centre of 10th Ramadan City.

Read the rest