The Egyptian Transport Minister, Kamel al-Wazir, accompanied by the Governor of Qena Ashraf al-Daoudi, inspected the course of the second line of the express electric train (October/ Luxor/ Aswan), which is 925 km long, from Luxor until Dishna for the first time.
The crossing point of the track was inspected above the Nile River next to the Qena-Abu Tartur railway line. The minister also inspected the location of the massive overhaul workshop and the interchange station of the second (6th of October/ Aswan) and the third (Safaga/ Hurghada/ Qena/ Luxor) lines in Qena Governorate.
The Transport Minister said that the coming period will witness the signing of the contract for this line, in addition to the Safaga/ Hurghada/ Qena/ Luxor line with Siemens International, within the Ministry of Transport’s plan to establish a rapid electric train network consisting of 3 main lines with a total length of 1825 km, including 1165 km for the Upper Egypt lines.
With regard to the fast electric train line, the 6th of October/ Aswan, Wazir stressed during his tour that stations will be establishment in the densely populated areas and intersections with the traffic axes over Nile, to better serve the residents of Upper Egypt.
He pointed out that the design speed of the network is 250 km/ h, the operational speed of fast electric trains is 230 km/ h, regional electric trains are 160 km/ h, and freight trains are 120 km/ h.
Wazir added that the number of fast electric trains on this line is scheduled to reach 19, and the regional electric trains will include 37 trains at a speed of 160 km/ h, in addition to 27 freight trains to ensure the greatest financial return that covers operating and maintenance expenses later.
He added that the goal of diversifying the mobile units (fast and regional) is to provide a civilized means of transportation that suits all income levels, while providing an outstanding service.
He pointed out that the high-speed rail lines run on electricity come to reduce time, greatly shorten journey times, and preserve the environment, and will represent a huge qualitative leap in the means of transportation in Egypt.
