Microbuses to be completely banned from using Egypt's Ring Road by end of 2021

CAIRO – 17 November 2021: Chairman of the Roads and Bridges Authority Hossam El Din Mostafa told Al Watan newspaper Wednesday that microbuses will be banned completely from using the Ring Road by the end of December 2021.

The official pointed out that the alternative will be the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which will have stations at major intersections.  He noted that the introduction of the BRT has been made possible through the ongoing expansion of that key road connecting Greater Cairo together.

Section of Ring Road near Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural Road

Mostafa underlined that the lanes of the Ring Road – crossed by 213,000 vehicles daily - will become seven up from four, except for the section extending in Mounib, which will encompass eight lanes. He added that trucks will be only allowed on the Ring Road between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

The Ministry of Transportation plans to introduce the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Greater Cairo's Ring Road. The buses will be either electric or powered by gas, and will be operated in a specific lane.

The execution of the plan will kick off after the expansion works of the road are over as each direction will encompass 7-8 lanes. One or more specialized companies will be given licenses to operate the lines. Those will determine the ticket price so as it covers the running costs and a profit margin.

Stations will be built along the Ring Road for passengers, and the lines will be connected with the third metro line at Adly Mansour Station in Cairo and Road Al Farag Axis Station in Giza. It will also be linked with the planned fourth and sixth lines, and the extension of the second line in Qalyoub.

The fourth line will pass beneath the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) as it connects 6th of October City western Cairo to central and eastern Cairo. The line consists of two phases. One encompasses 17 stations while the other has 20, according to the National Agency for Tunnels (NAT).