Alstom to build Africa’s first driverless metro in Egypt

France-headquartered global mobility giant Alstom has signed a framework agreement with Egypt’s National Authority of Tunnels (NAT) to construct the first driverless metro in Africa, Cairo Metro Line 6, the company stated on Saturday.

The 35-kilometre-long line will include 27 stations, with 12 of them underground, it will start from north-south, ending at the beginning of Ain El Sokhna road, Al-Khosos.

The company will provide the rolling stock and 294 metropolis cars and supply signalling systems, telecom systems, traction, power supply, high voltage substation, depot equipment, depot design, trackwork, third rail and automatic fare collection.

Cairo Metro Line 6 will reduce the congestion on Cairo Metro Line 1 and provide more options to residents moving across Cairo, the statement added.

In addition, the French firm will be responsible for the maintenance work on Cairo Line 6, which will be carried out at the depot in Cairo and managed locally.

The agreement came as a part of the four memorandums of understanding that has signed during COP27 with major international companies in the railway, subway and electric traction domain.