By Mohamed Attia
Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El‑Wazir, and Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El‑Hefny, witnessed the signing of a co‑operation protocol between the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) and Air Cairo to link the airline’s flights with services on the first line of Egypt’s high‑speed electric rail network, running from Sokhna to Alamein and Matrouh.
The protocol is part of efforts to develop an integrated and sustainable transport system, make greater use of modern transport networks and strengthen links between high-speed rail and air transport services.
The aim is to facilitate travel for passengers and tourists and improve the efficiency of Egypt’s transport system.
The protocol covers several areas of co-operation, starting with co-ordination between Air Cairo flights and services on the first line of the high-speed electric rail network, which runs from Sokhna through Alamein to Matrouh.
El-Wazir said integrating different modes of transport was a key element in supporting tourism and economic development and maximising the benefits of the modern transport projects being implemented by the state.
He said the protocol provided a practical model for integrating air and rail transport. The first high-speed rail line will connect with the second line at Hadayek October station, the light rail transit (LRT) system at the Central Capital station, the West Nile Monorail at the 6th of October station, and the Cairo-Aswan railway line at Giza station.
He added that launching the initiative through the first line would open the way for connecting more cities in the future.
El-Wazir also said the Ministry of Transport was currently implementing the Unified Card project to integrate different forms of public transport. The system will allow passengers to use a single payment method across the metro, railways, LRT, high-speed electric trains, monorail, bus rapid transit (BRT) and other public transport services.
The system is expected to make travel easier, reduce waiting times and eliminate the need to purchase separate tickets for each mode of transport.
El-Wazir added that the system is planned to eventually include links with air transport, creating an integrated network connecting road, rail and air services in line with the latest international systems.
