Transport Infrastructure Egypt Hears of Dire Need to Overhaul Everything

A seminar in Cairo on 28th and 29th January heard that £170m Egyptian was needed for spare parts and periodical maintenance and £300m Egyptian for engine maintenance, to address the “dire need to overhaul everything”.

Transport Infrastructure Egypt 2013 heard Head of the National Institute of Transport Khalid Abdel Azeem Abbas call on the government to invest in the future of Egypt’s road and rail infrastructure, pointing out that this could save some of the billions spent each year on treating accident victims and replacing vehicles, trains and track.

A report by the Ministry of Transportation said only 18% of 5,500 km of track in Egypt operates safely, because it has modern electronic signalling, while 82% relies on outdated mechanical systems.

There are an average of 12 rail crashes per month in Egypt, where the infrastructure was woefully underfunded throughout the years of the Mubarak regime. Almost 50% of accidents happen at the 1261 level crossings, mostly manned by exhausted and unprofessional staff who fall asleep at work, or leave before their shift ends.

Train drivers work long hours and regular overtime resulting in tiredness and poor judgment. The Seminar called on government to improve administrative Management of the rail network.