PHOTO
Rendering of Alstom's Innovia monorail 300 system at El-Narges on the New Capital City line in Cairo. Image courtesy Alstom website Image used for illustrative purpose only.
France-headquartered mobility giant Alstom said last week that it has dispatched the first 4-car unit of the 280 fully automated, driverless cars contracted for Cairo Monorail project.
The company said in a press statement that the first Alstom Innovia 300 monorail for the project was completed on time at Alstom’s Derby, UK factory and is now bound for Cairo.
The company said the UK International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, visited Derby facility to mark the completion milestone.
The Alstom-led consortium had secured the project because of £1.7 billion backing from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the largest it has ever provided for an overseas infrastructure project.
In August 2019, an Alstom-led consortium involving Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors had signed a €2.7 billion contract to design, construct, operate, and maintain Egypt’s first two monorail lines, linking New Capital City and 6th of October City to the Greater Cairo area.
Alstom said the two lines are expected to open in 2023, adding that each line would be able to transport 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
Andrew DeLeone, President, Alstom Africa, Middle East & Central Asia said the company is committed to its long-term partnership with Egypt’s National Authorities of Tunnels (NAT).
“Thanks to great teamwork and dedication, we have shipped the first Innovia monorail unit earlier than expected,” he said.
Truss said UK’s free trade agreements will open up new opportunities for the country’s manufacturers around the world.
After the construction phase is completed, the Alstom-led consortium will provide 30 years of operation and maintenance (O&M) services for both lines, the statement noted.
(Writing by Marwa Abo Almajd; Editing by Anoop Menon)
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