High-quality minibuses to go into service in Egypt

CAIRO - 11 July 2017: Pilot operation of 10 high-quality minibuses started this week, the Cairo Transportation Authority’s (CTA) head said.

In statements to MENA, Rezq Ali said a private company has offered to operate 40 high-quality minibuses - fitted out with Wi-Fi, mobile phone chargers, e-payment system and air conditioning - under the supervision of CTA.

The idea was derived from the European transportation system, he said.

Ali said the service is targeting a certain strata of commuters as the tickets of the four-line minibuses will stand at about 5 or 6 pounds.

The service is meant to entice private car owners to use these minibuses to save the energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and streamline traffic.

The new minibuses will officially operate as of August, he said.

He added that 13 double-decker buses will enter Egypt for first time under a contract signed by a private company.

He noted that 300 new buses - operating with natural gas - will go into service by the end of 2017.