EGYPT’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) has signed a framework agreement with Alstom for the design, construction and maintenance of Cairo Metro Line 6, which Alstom says will be the first driverless line in Africa.

The agreement was signed during the UN COP27 climate summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh, which Alstom attended to present opportunities for decarbonising the transport sector as well as “green transport solutions for the future.”

Alstom says that Line 6 will run north-south for 35km from Shubra El-Kheima to New Maadi, serving a total of 26 stations of which 12 will be underground.

Line 6 is intended to reduce congestion on Line 1 of the Cairo Metro and will have capacity to handle 1.5 million passengers a year.

Under the framework agreement, Alstom will supply 294 Metropolis cars, with interiors tailored to specific customer requirements. They will be designed to maximise capacity while improving passenger comfort, accessibility and circulation.

Each train will be able to carry up to 2580 passengers, will offer improved energy efficiency and will be 98% recyclable.

Alstom will also be responsible for infrastructure, trackwork, signalling systems, telecommunications systems, the traction power supply and third rail electrification systems, high-voltage substations and automatic fare collection equipment.

The framework includes the design of the rolling stock maintenance depot on Line 6 and the supply of depot equipment. Alstom will responsible for maintaining the new Metropolis fleet, which it says will create long-term local job opportunities.

“Alstom is further committed to localise a significant portion of the Cairo Metro Line 6 project, aligned with Egypt’s 2030 vision and sustainable development goals,” says Mr Andrew DeLeone, president of Alstom in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia.

“In 2019, the city’s CO2 emissions due to transport were around 22 million tonnes, representing 40% of Egypt’s total transport emissions. This agreement, signed during COP27, demonstrates Egypt’s commitment to ensuring Cairo is an inclusive, safe and resilient city.”

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