El-Sisi reviews major transport projects, high-speed rail trials slated for September

Ahram Online , Sunday 2 Aug 2026

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reviewed progress on several major transport projects on Sunday, including plans to begin trial operations on the first high-speed electric railway line in September 2026 and the West Nile monorail in 2027.

Photo courtesy of the Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency

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During a meeting in New Alamein, Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir said trial operations on the Ain Sokhna–New Alamein–Marsa Matrouh railway line would continue for six months.

Al-Wazir added that the second phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Cairo’s Ring Road was ready to begin operations and would serve densely populated areas.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Presidential Adviser for Urban Planning Amir Sayed Ahmed, according to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy.

El-Sisi directed officials to accelerate the completion of sustainable green mass-transit projects, describing them as a cornerstone of Egypt’s urban, industrial and tourism development.

The president also reviewed progress on the Greater Safaga, Damietta, Greater Alexandria, and Ain Sokhna port development projects. He instructed officials to adhere to their completion schedules and the highest quality standards.

The meeting examined efforts to improve maritime and land connectivity, facilitate the movement of passengers and goods, and strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional trade hub.

El-Sisi stressed the importance of transport and logistics projects in advancing trade and economic integration with Arab and African countries.

Al-Wazir also reviewed progress and the economic feasibility of the second and third high-speed railway lines. He said they would connect new agricultural development areas with consumer markets and export ports, link tourist destinations and create new population and development corridors.

The East Nile monorail is expected to reduce journey times between Greater Cairo, New Cairo, and the New Capital once inaugurated.

Meanwhile, the 43.8-kilometre West Nile monorail, comprising 13 stations between 6 October City and Wadi El-Nil in Mohandessin, is scheduled to begin operating in 2027.

Officials also reviewed work on the Western Desert Road between Giza and Abu Simbel and the widening of the 327-kilometre Aswan–Berenice Road, which will connect Upper Egypt with the Red Sea coast.

The latter forms part of a strategic east-west corridor linking the Nile Valley with border crossings and Red Sea ports.

Al-Wazir also outlined a plan to maintain and upgrade the 6 October Bridge following problems with the road surface and expansion joints in several sections. The work is intended to improve the bridge’s condition and ease traffic congestion.

El-Sisi directed that all the projects discussed be completed on schedule, according to the highest quality standards and as quickly as possible.

The projects form part of Egypt’s broader strategy to integrate seaports, railways, roads and logistics zones into trade corridors linking the Red Sea and Mediterranean.

The planned 2,000-kilometre high-speed electric railway network comprises three lines, with the 660-kilometre first line connecting Ain Sokhna with Alexandria, New Alamein and Marsa Matrouh.

A limited test run was conducted in November 2025, while the newly announced six-month trial operation beginning in September 2026 marks the next step towards passenger service.