One of the contracts for Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) involves the provision of a signalling and telecommunications system by an Alstom-led consortium that also includes Thales. The other is for infrastructure work in consortium with Colas Rail, Orascom and Arabco. The contracts are worth a total of almost €190m (£135m), with the signalling work valued at €85m and the infrastructure accounting for €102m.
The 78km-long metro network includes two complete lines, with a third partially open as construction is taking place in different phases. Line 3 is scheduled to be fully completed in early 2022. The contracts for phases 4b and 4c are yet to be awarded.
The line currently carries three million passengers per day and the number should reach 5 million by 2020.
Alstom will provide its signalling solution Urbalis, including Iconis at the operating control centre as well as point machines and station signalling equipment. The solution has been designed to enable safe, fluid and comfortable journeys to commuters and a short headway between trains.
The company will also provide electro-mechanical equipment including power substations to feed the third rail, ventilation system and lifts and escalators.
“We are pleased that NAT has entrusted Alstom with these new contracts,” said Gian-Luca Erbacci, senior vice-president of Alstom for Middle East and Africa. “These new projects will undoubtedly strengthen our partnership with NAT that started more than 30 years ago. We are committed to accompany our customer in the further development of Cairo’s metro network to meet the growing demand for mobility."
Alstom has provided Metropolis trains as well as infrastructure, signalling and services solutions for lines 1 and 2 of Cairo Metro and has been awarded work on phases 1, 2 and 4a of line 3. The company has also been awarded a contract to modernise the signalling systems on the regional railway line from Beni Suef to Asyut.
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