Railway Authority introduces new system to enhance rail safety

CAIRO - 20 April 2018: The Egyptian government has decided to focus on the railway sector and worked on rolling out new accident prevention measures to promote rail safety; most recently was the inducement of a new system entitled the license system, which is expected to take effect at the start of 2019.

According to the Railway Authority, there is approximately 1,000 train collision accidents taking place in Egypt each year.

The new system stipulates that the worker must undergo drug and psychological tests as a strict and indispensible condition to take on a role any rail-related job, in addition to advanced trainings and courses to ensure optimal performance.

Also, workers need to subject to similar tests when renewing their work license every two years.

According to the Railway Authority, and under the new system, no worker can be transferred to work in other railway lines before undergoing training and courses dedicated specifically for each respective line.

If any violations related to train operation are recorded, the worker in question will have his license suspended, the Authority added in press statements on Thursday.

In February, two trains collided in Beheira governorate killing at least 15 people and wounding 40 others, according to the transport minister’s spokesperson, Mohamed Ezz.

Eyewitnesses reported that two separate passenger train carriages swerved out of the railways and crashed into a cargo train. Egypt Today presents a timeline of the accident updates.