COUNTRY FOCUS : EGYPT
Signing ceremony
In addition to benefiting passenger travel , the first fully electric mainline rail network in Egypt will create thousands of local jobs and open up huge possibilities for freight transport .”
For this project , Siemens Mobility will deliver its Velaro high-speed trains , Desiro high-capacity regional train sets , and Vectron freight locomotives . A safe and reliable signalling system based on the latest computerbased interlocking technology and European Train Control System ( ETCS ) level two will be installed , as well as the power supply system that delivers efficient and continuous energy . Furthermore , Siemens will provide and integrate the latest communications , safety and security systems that will create a pleasant passenger experience . The trains as well as all subsystems are based on the most modern and proven products and platforms . Siemens Mobility ’ s consortium partners will install the tracks , while the customer will build the bridges and facilitate the sub construction .
A Suez Canal on tracks
The 660 kilometres line will connect the port cities of Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea to Marsa Matrouh and Alexandria on the Mediterranean , creating a Suez Canal type of link on the tracks . The Egyptian government has an ambitious plan to invest heavily in a reliable and sustainable 1,800 km state-of-the-art highspeed rail network , that will provide efficient , safe , and affordable transportation for all Egyptians , as well as goods across the country . The two additional lines will connect the greater Cairo region from 6th October City along the Nile River with Aswan and Luxor via Hurghada to Safaga . The entire network will re-establish Egypt as a regional leader for transportation . It will impact different economic sectors , empowering both smaller and midsized businesses , and will provide an overall boost to the economy .
High impact on society , environment and economy
Already the first line will be very beneficial for Egypt ’ s society and environment . The consortium will directly create more than 15,000 jobs in Egypt , with an additional 3,800 at Egyptian suppliers and indirectly through the wider Egyptian economy . It ’ s anticipated that many more jobs will be created as soon as the other lines are ready for implementation . In addition to jobs , the project will also contribute to a significant local , technical training and qualification programme that Siemens Mobility intends to support , which will provide the needed skill development to complement the project .
The fully electrified system will reduce primary energy usage and overall air pollution by cutting carbon emissions by 70 %, in comparison to the current emissions from car and bus transportation , thereby increasing the quality of life and protecting the environment for Egyptians . The rail system will be based on state-of-the-art technology , proven products and European standards . The signalling system to be supplied complies with highest safety requirements . Additionally , extensive testing and commissioning and local training will ensure the safety of passengers and staff .
More than 30 million passengers per year
The connection will transport more than 30 million people per year and save up to 50 % travel time , which will strongly increase the productivity of the workforce . It will link Cairo to the new urban communities being developed . Cairo ’ s population has doubled in size since 1980 and today approximately 20 million people call Cairo home . Therefore , to ease the congestion , new cities are currently being developed around the Cairo metropolis and the additional benefit of a comfortable and affordable commuter system around Cairo will reduce travel time from east to west . Furthermore , the line will connect both sea and dry ports which will improve the overall efficiency of moving freight . Specifically , the total inland freight transported on rails will increase by 15 %.
Siemens Mobility is one of the global leaders in high-speed rail operations and is one of the leading companies in the Egyptian mobility market since the 1960s . The company has also extensive experience in delivering high-speed rail projects and executed many rail projects in the Middle East and Africa region . As one of the leading global rail turnkey project provider with a proven track record of having successfully delivered more than 50 turnkey projects worldwide , Siemens Mobility integrates its portfolio elements and delivers complete rail systems reliably and from one single source . p
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