Consortium signs contract for two monorail lines in Egypt

Bombardier INNOVIA monorail rendering

Bombardier-led consortium, which also includes Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors, has signed an agreement with National Authority for Tunnels in Cairo to design and build two new monorail lines in Egypt.

On completion of the construction phase, the consortium will be responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of both lines for 30 years.

The total value of the contract exceeds €4.1 billion; Bombardier Transportation’s share is €2.6 billion while Orascom Construction’s share is over €800 million. 

The monorail line will extend 54 km from East Cairo to the New Administrative Capital. The second line will be 42 km long to connect 6th of October City to Giza. These are the first mass transit links to connect Greater Cairo with New Capital City and 6th of October City and will greatly improve mobility for Egyptian citizens.

The two lines will be able to transport around 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction when ultimate capacity is reached. With operating speeds up to 80 km/h, the journey time for the new Capital City will be around 60 minutes (for 54 km line) and around 42 minutes for 6th of October City (42 km line). 

Danny Di Perna, President of Bombardier Transportation, said: “To be selected as the monorail system supplier in Egypt is a great privilege and our fully-automated monorail system is the smart mobility solution for Cairo’s urban future.

“Our INNOVIA Monorail 300 technology has proved to be a game changer in the industry, as it allows fast construction of high capacity transit lines at lower costs. With its advanced technology, unmatched safety features and attractive aerodynamic design, this proven platform will dramatically improve the quality of life for millions of residents by significantly reducing their daily commuting time as well as reducing traffic congestion and its impact on the city.”

Osama Bishai, Chief Executive Officer of Orascom Construction PLC, commented: “We continue to play an integral role in the development of Egypt’s infrastructure, and are proud to be part of this prestigious project to build mass transportation across Cairo, the New Administrative Capital, Giza and 6th of October City. We are very pleased to collaborate with our international partner Bombardier and our local partner Arab Contractors on this project, which highlights our strength in the transportation sector and emphasises our position as the partner of choice for international contractors in Egypt, particularly on challenging projects.”

Bombardier will design, supply and install the electrical and mechanical (E&M) equipment for the two lines including 70 four-car Bombardier INNOVIA Monorail 300 trains (280 cars), CITYFLO 650 signalling and automatic train control technology, the operation control centre, communication systems, platform screen doors and fare collection, power supply / power distribution systems as well as switch beams and depot equipment.

Bombardier will also provide the overall E&M system integration, project management, systems engineering and integration, test and commissioning for the trains and signalling as well as operations and maintenance of the vehicles and wayside systems.