Cairo – Mubasher: Egypt’s Ministry of Transport is planning to add up to 1,300 new train carriages to the Egyptian National Railway network.
The total cost the new trains may reach EGP 19 billion ($1.08 billion), transport minister Hesham Arafat revealed, noting that a committee has been assigned to evaluate the seven bids presented by companies looking to supply the train carriages.
So far, the committee has evaluated bids from three companies, the minister further stated, adding that the committee will complete these procedures within a month’s time.
Among the Ministry of Transport’s requirements is that 40% of these train carriages be manufactured locally.
It is worth noting that the Egyptian National Railway is undergoing a development programme of around EGP 2.5 billion which includes upgrading trains and railway line crossings.
No time frame for when all of the 1,300 carriages will be delivered was disclosed, which means it might likely extend beyond the railway development period.
