The monorail type of transportation is often used in contested and inner-city areas. It is robust and doesn’t require a lot of space and relatively smaller size infrastructure, i.e., electrification network and tracks compared to other types of transport like MRT and LRT for urban transport.

Unlike conventional rail transportation types, Monorails use a concrete beam instead of steel rails and rubber tires instead of steel wheelsets in a unique way to keep the train balanced over the concrete beam and deliver the lowest levels of vibration and discomfort to the passengers

In August 2019, a Bombardier-led consortium also involving Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors signed a €2.7bn contract to design, construct, operate and maintain two lines of Cairo monorail:
– East of Nile line starts from new capital to east Cairo, with a total length of 56.5 km and comprises of 22 stations
– West of Nile line starts from 6th October city to Giza with a total length of 43.8 km and comprises of 13 stations

In 2020, a deal was concluded between Alstom and Bombardier for full acquisition of bombardier by Alstom, therefore all of Bombardier’s assets and projects has been transferred to Alstom, accordingly, including the Cairo monorail. Therefore, the main contractor for the Cairo monorail became Alstom.

The contract involves construction of two Depots and civil infrastructure along the lines in addition to 22 stations in the first line and 13 stations in the second line that includes civil works and electrification networks and signaling system in addition to the supply of Alstom (Innovia™ 300) 70 trains (280 cars) fully driverless monorail trains.

The Innovia™ 300 monorail system is equipped with Alstom’s proven Cityflo™ 650 communications-based train control (CBTC) solution. Benefits of this flagship technology include high reliability, flexible operations, shorter headways between trains, improved safety and reduced maintenance costs.

Alstom “Innovia™ 300” units for the Cairo Monorail project are manufactured at Alstom’s Derby, UK plant where most of the project rolling stock will be manufactured.

Cairo Monorail features a unique power delivery system comprised of receiving stations along the line, which receive the power from utility and then through rectifier stations which convert AC power to DC and then transferred to trains motor cars via power rail.

As for signalling system, the signalling system used is Alstom Cityflo™ 650 communications-based train control, where the trains are in constant contact with each other and with the control centre at the same time, ensuring a high reliability system, shorter headways, high-capacity operation to accommodate the 25 million residents of greater Cairo, transporting 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction when complete.

Applying full ATP and ATO for the system means the trains are completely driverless with automatic train stops and door openings without the need of any attendants or manpower to operate the train (GoA4).

A train detection system is achieved by axle counters installed mainly in depot and station areas and light signals also installed at the same areas to ensure full integrity of the system and to allow emergency operation in case of communication or network failures.

The system depends on a Fiber-Optic communication network that connects the line together and transmits both vital and non-vital data from the control centres to the trains and vice versa. The data is then transmitted to the trains via radio transmitting points that are distributed along the line to ensure full radio coverage regardless of the train location.

The first trial runs were conducted back in November 2022 from the start of the eastern line to its end, ensuring the readiness of the monorail structure and system.

The project, when completed, will be a major milestone for the Egyptian transportation sector and will link major cities and suburbs and urban communities within greater Cairo, as well as facilitate the movement of citizens and decrease the use of other fossil fuel-dependant means of transportation like cars and buses.

In the end, transportation sector in Egypt has seen a huge leap in the past ten years, from high-speed projects to monorail to metro lines, which will ultimately play into the Egyptian people’s hand and improve their quality of life and hopes for a bright and prosperous future.