Egypt is constructing a 2,250km high-speed electric rail network and upgrading its conventional railways, aiming to transport up to 4 million passengers daily by 2030. The project is central to Egypt's strategy for integrated, sustainable mass transit.
Egypt is pressing ahead with the development of a 2,250km high-speed electric rail network, alongside major upgrades to its 10,000km conventional railway system. The government aims to achieve a combined daily rail capacity of around 4 million passengers by 2030, according to Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir.
During an inspection of the first high-speed line connecting Ain Sokhna, Alamein and Marsa Matrouh, Al-Wazir outlined the country's plan to establish an integrated, safe and sustainable mass transit system. The first three high-speed lines, totaling 2,000km, are under construction and will link key cities including Cairo, Alexandria, 6th of October, Abu Simbel, Qena, Safaga and Hurghada. A fourth 250km line between Port Said and Alexandria is planned in partnership with the private sector.
Phased Rollout and Capacity Targets
Trial operations without passengers on a section of the first high-speed line are scheduled to begin in early October, with phased testing to follow. Passenger services will commence once technical and safety requirements are met. Once operational, the first three high-speed lines are expected to carry approximately 2.5 million passengers daily. Egypt's conventional rail network is targeted to transport 1.5 million passengers per day by 2030, bringing total rail capacity to about 4 million daily passengers.
The existing railway network is undergoing comprehensive upgrades, including signalling modernisation and the addition of 400km of new lines to serve major industrial zones such as 10th of Ramadan, 6th of October, Sadat City and Borg El Arab. Currently, around 900 trains operate daily, transporting between 1.1 million and 1.2 million passengers.
Integrated Mass Transit and Urban Mobility
Al-Wazir stated that Egypt's mass transit strategy is built on three pillars: intercity transport via railways, high-speed trains and buses; urban transport systems in major cities; and feeder networks connecting residential areas to main transport hubs.
In Greater Cairo, the metro network currently serves 2-2.5 million passengers daily. The first phase of Metro Line 4, linking 6th of October with Fustat, is expected to begin trial operations in mid-2027 and is projected to eventually carry 1-1.25 million passengers per day. The Bus Rapid Transit network on the Ring Road is expanding, with 320 locally manufactured electric buses contracted and 100 already in operation.
Egypt is also developing a 100.3km monorail network to connect the New Administrative Capital with Greater Cairo, and in Alexandria, a 108km metro project will replace the Abu Qir railway, while the Raml Tram upgrade is underway.
Financing and Private Sector Involvement
Al-Wazir noted that Egypt's transport strategy aims to integrate all modes into a single network, supported by feeder services and private-sector participation. Development loans are limited to rolling stock and major electric transport projects, accounting for no more than 30% of project costs, with repayment periods of up to 40 years.
The expansion of Egypt's rail and urban transit infrastructure is positioned as a key element of the country's broader economic and urban development plans, with the potential to reshape mobility and connectivity across the region.
