View source for Cairo Metro

{{short description|Rapid transit system in Egypt}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| box_width = 275px
| name = Cairo Metro
| image = Cairo metro logo2012.svg
| imagesize = 100px
| image2 = Metro-1-l.jpg
| imagesize2 = 200px
| caption2 = The Cairo Metro (line 2)
| native_name = {{lang|ar|مترو أنفاق القاهرة}}
| owner = National Authority for Tunnels (Egyptian state)<ref>{{cite web|title=TWINNING PROJECT FICHE - Assistance to the Egyptian Metro Company (ECM) in Reforming Railway Safety Regulations, Procedures and Practices|url=http://vm.ee/sites/default/files/content-editors/Twinning%20fiche%20-%20Metro%20regulation%20Final-launched.pdf|access-date=4 August 2014}}</ref>
| locale = [[Greater Cairo]], [[Egypt]]
| transit_type = [[Rapid transit]]
| lines = 3
| stations = 84<ref name=metrobits>{{cite web|title=Cairo|url=http://mic-ro.com/metro/metrocity.html?city=Cairo|date=28 August 2020|website=metrobits.org|access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref><ref group="Note">Counting [[interchange station]]s only once.</ref>
| ridership = 2.2 million<ref name="ridership2020">{{cite web |title=Egypt: number of subway passengers |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1386079/number-of-subway-passengers-in-egypt/|website=Statista |access-date=26 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
| annual_ridership = 1460.0 million (2023)<ref name="ridership2020" />
| website = {{URL|cairometro.gov.eg/en|Cairo Metro}} {{in lang|en}}
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|1987|9|27|df=y}}<ref name=metrobits/>
| operator = * Line 1: The Egyptian Co. for Metro Management & Operation<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://cairometro.gov.eg/uipages/AboutUS.aspx |title=About Company |publisher=Cairo Metro |access-date=2014-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817212601/http://www.cairometro.gov.eg/UIPages/AboutUS.aspx |archive-date=17 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Line 2: The Egyptian Co. for Metro Management & Operation<ref name="auto"/>
* Line 3: [[RATP Dev]] (15 years)
| marks = 
| character = Mixed<br />Underground, At-grade and Elevated
| vehicles = 
| system_length = * Line 1: 44 km<ref name="line1">{{cite web |title=National Authority for Tunnels |url=http://www.nat.gov.eg/LocationActivity.aspx?id=79 |website=www.nat.gov.eg |access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref>
* Line 2: 21.6 km<ref name="ركاب">{{Cite web|url=https://www.skynewsarabia.com/business/1306650-30-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%94%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%86%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127112513/https://www.skynewsarabia.com/business/1306650-30-عاما-مصر-تعلن-رسميا-أرقام-مترو-الأنفاق|url-status=dead|title=بعد 30 عاما.. مصر تعلن رسميا "أرقام مترو الأنفاق"|archivedate=27 November 2020|website=سكاي نيوز عربية}}</ref>
* Line 3: 41.2 km<ref name="ركاب2">{{Cite web|url=https://m.akhbarelyom.com/news/newdetails/3703229/1/15-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%88%D9%84-17-%D9%83%D9%85..-%D9%86%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88--%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A9---%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405160937/https://m.akhbarelyom.com/news/newdetails/3703229/1/15-محطة-بطول-17-كم..-ننشر-مستجدات-مترو--العتبة---إمبابة-|url-status=dead|title=15 محطة بطول 17 كم.. ننشر مستجدات مترو «العتبة - إمبابة»|date=16 March 2022|archivedate=5 April 2022}}</ref>
| track_gauge = {{RailGauge|1435mm}} [[standard gauge]]
| el = Line 1: [[Overhead line]],1.5 [[Volt|kV]] [[Direct current|DC]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barrow|first1=Keith|title=Cairo to order new trains for metro Line 1|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/africa/cairo-to-order-new-trains-for-metro-line-1.html|website=International Railway Journal|publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc.|access-date=23 January 2015|date=14 March 2014}}</ref><br />Lines 2 and 3: {{750 V DC|conductor=third rail}}<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Banerjee|first1=M.K.|last2=El Hoda|first2=N.|title=Review of the automatic train control system for Cairo Metro line 2|journal=Power Engineering Journal|date=October 1998|volume=12|issue=5|pages=217–228|doi=10.1049/pe:19980506|publisher=IET|doi-broken-date=7 December 2024 |issn=0950-3366}}</ref>
| top_speed = 
| map = [[File:CAIRO METRO.jpg|275px]]
| map_name = System map
| map_state = collapsed <!-- show or collapsed -->
}}
{{Cairo Metro route diagram}}

The '''Cairo Metro''' ({{langx|ar|مترو أنفاق القاهرة|Metro Anfāq al-Qāhirah}}, <!------Please note: this is a standard transliteration of the Arabic letters, reflecting Standard Arabic, and not intended to be a pronunciation guide.-------> lit. "Cairo Tunnel Metro" or {{lang|arz|مترو الأنفاق}}&nbsp; {{IPA|arz|ˈmetɾo lʔænˈfæːʔ|pron}}) is a [[rapid transit]] system in [[Greater Cairo]], [[Egypt]]. It was the first of the three full-fledged metro systems in [[Africa]] and the first in the [[Middle East]] to be constructed.<ref name=railway>{{cite web |url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/cairo-metro/ |title=Cairo Metro, Egypt |website=Railway-Technology.com |publisher=Kable |access-date=2014-06-26}}</ref><ref name=urbanrail>{{cite web |url=http://www.urbanrail.net/af/cairo/cairo.htm |title=Cairo |website=UrbanRail.Net |access-date=2014-06-26}}</ref> It was opened in 1987 as [[Cairo Metro Line 1|Line 1]] from [[Helwan]] to [[Ramses Station|Ramses Square]] with a length of {{convert|29|km|mi|1}}.<ref name="Line1">{{cite web |url=http://cairometro.gov.eg/UIPages/FirstLineWorking.aspx |title=First Line Working |publisher=Cairo Metro, Inc. |access-date=2014-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503080302/http://www.cairometro.gov.eg/UIPages/FirstLineWorking.aspx |archive-date=3 May 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2013, the metro carried nearly 4 million passengers per day.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |last1=Sood |first1=Suemedha |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20130314-subway-systems-by-the-numbers |title=Subway systems by the numbers |newspaper=BBC |date=15 March 2013 |access-date=2014-07-28 |archive-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728174957/http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20130314-subway-systems-by-the-numbers |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 15 May 2024, the Cairo Metro has 84 stations<ref name=metrobits/> of which 5 are transfer stations, with a total length of {{convert|106.8|km|mi|1}}. The system consists of three operational lines<ref name=metrobits/> numbered 1 to 3.<ref name="Line1"/>

The Cairo Metro is owned by the National Authority for Tunnels.<ref name="Line1"/> The lines use [[standard gauge]] ({{RailGauge|1435mm}}).<ref name=metrobits/>

==Operations==
[[File:Cairomerto.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Old Cairo Metro turnstile gates (standard ticket); In mid-2010s, those turnstiles were phased out and replaced with newer ones]]
{{multiple image|align=left|direction=horizontal|width=122
|image1=Cairo Metro-Ticket.jpg|caption1=Old Cairo Metro ticket (front side)
|image2=Cairo Metro ticket (back side).jpg|caption2=Old Cairo Metro ticket (back side)}}

The middle two cars (4th and 5th) of each train have been [[women-only passenger car|reserved for women]] since 1989<ref>{{cite web|last1=Boskovitch|first1=Angela|title=Photo Essay: Cairo's Transit Woes|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/?fa=55313&lang=en|website=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|access-date=4 June 2016|date=12 May 2015}}</ref> (the 5th car becomes mixed-use after 21:00). There are blue signs (pink on the first and second lines) at every station that signify the position of these cars. These cars are used as an option for women who do not wish to ride with men in the same car; however, women can still ride other cars freely. This policy was introduced to the protection of women from [[sexual harassment]] by men.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |last=Cowell |first=Alan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/15/world/cairo-journal-for-women-only-a-train-car-safe-from-men.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=Cairo Journal; For Women Only: A Train Car Safe From Men |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 January 1990 |access-date=2014-06-27}}</ref>

Cairo Metro operates from 05:00 to 01:00 (except during [[Ramadan]], when it operates from 05:00 to 02:00), with the remaining hours reserved for maintenance work.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hebeishy|first1=Reda|title=Metro lines' working hours return Thursday to 20h instead of 21h|url=http://thecairopost.com/news/120177/news/metro-lines-working-hours-return-thursday-to-20h-instead-of-21h|access-date=14 August 2014|work=thecairopost.com|agency=Alyoum Alsabea|date=July 30, 2014}}</ref>

The ticket price was [[Egyptian pound|£E]]1 for each journey, regardless of distance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Getting Around Cairo|url=http://travel.usnews.com/Cairo_Egypt/Getting_Around/|website=U.S. News & World Report Travel|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=14 August 2014}}</ref> The Ministry of Transportation agreed to double the ticket prices, starting from Friday 24 March 2017, costing £E2 for the normal ticket, £E1.5 for the ticket of the minor, £E1 for the special needs ticket<ref>{{cite web|title=ننشر تعليمات التشغيل الجديدة لمترو الأنفاق بعد رفع سعر التذكرة لـ2 جنيه|url=http://www.youm7.com/story/2017/3/23/%D9%86%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%BA%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B0%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9/3157558|website=Youm7|access-date=23 March 2017|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=بالصور...تعرف على أسعار اشتراكات المترو بعد الزيادة الجديدة على|url=http://www.masrawy.com/News/News_Egypt/details/2017/3/23/1048701/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%B1|website=Masrawy|access-date=23 March 2017|language=ar}}</ref> after formerly costing £E1, £E0.75 and £E0.5, respectively. Again on 10 May 2018, the ministry of transportation agreed to raise the ticket prices to be £E3 for 9 stops, £E5 for 16 stops and £E7 for more than 16 stops.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rehab Ismail |title=In-depth look at Cairo metro's fare increase |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/2/49814/In-depth-look-at-Cairo-metro-s-fare-increase |website=Egypttoday.com |publisher=news website of the nation's oldest and bestselling English-language social affairs magazine Egypt Today |access-date=30 September 2019 |language=en |date=11 May 2018 |quote=The Ministry of Transportation has increased the price of metro tickets for the second time in less than a year.}}</ref> As of July 2020, 9 stops cost £E5, 16 stops cost £E7, and rides exceeding 16 stops cost £E10.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=14 July 2020 |title=Egypt receives second batch of 32 air conditioned trains for Cairo metro |url=https://alternativeafrica.com/2020/07/14/egypt-receives-second-batch-of-32-air-conditioned-trains-for-cairo-metro/ |work=Alternative Africa |location=London |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Network==
{{See also|List of Cairo Metro stations}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; height:230px;"
|-
! Line 
! Termini 
! Opened 
! Latest<br />extension 
! Length
! Stations
|-
| {{Color box|blue|[[Cairo Metro Line 1|<span style="color:white;">'''1'''</span>]]|border=darkgray}}
| New Marg – Helwan
| 1987
| 1999
| {{Cvt|44|km}}
| 35
|-
| {{Color box|red|[[Cairo Metro Line 2|<span style="color:white;">'''2'''</span>]]|border=darkgray}}
| Shubra Al Khaimah – El Monib
| 1996
| 2005
| {{Cvt|21.6|km}}
| 20
|-
| {{Color box|green|[[Cairo Metro Line 3|<span style="color:white;">'''3'''</span>]]|border=darkgray}}
| Rod El Farag Corridor/Cairo University – Adly Mansour
| 2012 
| 2024
| {{Cvt|41.2|km}}
| 34
|- class=sortbottom
| colspan="4" | '''Total:'''
| '''{{Cvt|106.8|km}}'''
| '''84'''
|}

===Line 1===
{{main|Cairo Metro Line 1}}
Line 1 (blue) is the oldest line of the Cairo Metro and the first metro to open in Africa and the Middle East, with its first {{convert|29|km|mi|1|adj=on}} segment having opened in 1987.<ref name="Line1" /> The line is {{convert|44|km|mi|adj=}} long and serves 35 stations.<ref name="line1" /> This line carries trains with 3 units (9 [[railroad car|train car]]s),<ref name="Line1" /> which have a [[headway]] of 3.5 to 4 minutes, and a maximum speed of {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Line1" /> The line can carry 60,000 passengers per hour in each direction.<ref name=Salama1987>{{cite book |last=Salama |first=Saiyed |date=1987 |title=Metro Al Anfaq |url= |location=Beirut |publisher=Dar Al Maaref |isbn=978-977-02-2155-6}}</ref>{{rp|32}}

Line 1 has a [[Train simulator|train driving simulator]] supplied by Transurb Technirail that won the international tender issued by Cairo Metro in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transurb Technirail Wins Contract to Develop a Driving Simulator for Cairo Metro in Egypt|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/professional/transurb/pressreleases/presstransurb-simulator-cairo-metro/|website=railway-technology.com|access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>

===Line 2===
{{main|Cairo Metro Line 2}}
Line 2 (red) is the second line of the Cairo Metro, first opening in 1996. The line is {{convert|21.6|km|mi|adj=}} long,<ref name="Line2">{{cite web |title=Line 2 |url=http://www.nat.org.eg/english/Line2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916110446/http://www.nat.org.eg/english/Line2.html |archive-date=16 September 2019 |access-date=2014-06-28 |publisher=National Authority for Tunnels}}</ref> of which {{convert|13|km|mi|}} are in tunnels. It serves 20 stations, of which 12 are underground.<ref name="Line2" /> It is mostly in the bored tunnel, with two exceptions: a short section at the northern end approaching Shubra El Kheima which is elevated, and a section just south of this by cut-and-cover. Line 2 uses the [[third rail]] electrification system instead of the overhead line used in the first line.<ref name="Line 4 environics" /> The communication extension for line 2 was provided by Alcatel in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.alcatel.com/vpr/vpr.nsf/va_TousByIDPere/II11FDDEEF306D3BA1C1256FEF002DE858EngII |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023161522/http://www.home.alcatel.com/vpr/vpr.nsf/va_TousByIDPere/II11FDDEEF306D3BA1C1256FEF002DE858EngII |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2005 |title=Alcatel extends the communications infrastructure of Cairo's metro line 2 |publisher=Alcatel Lucent |location=Paris |date=26 April 2005 |access-date=2008-10-27 }}</ref>

The minimum headway for the line is 2.7 to 3 minutes.

Line 2 has a simulator installed in Shubra since 2002{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} which was delivered by French company CORYS.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.corys.com/sites/default/files/urban_transportation_product_sheet-2018.pdf |title=Urban transportation simulators for tramways, metro and suburban trains |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2018 |publisher=CORYS |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>

The first tunnel to be built under the [[Nile River]] carries Line 2 across the river.<ref>{{cite news|title=Egypt Digs First Tunnel Under Nile|url=https://apnews.com/a669823a6b307a30b76cadb4f3f7b727|access-date=14 August 2014|work=Associated Press News Archive|agency=Associated Press|date=March 3, 1998}}</ref>

===Line 3===
{{main|Cairo Metro Line 3}}
Line 3 (green) is the newest line. Its first section opened in 2012. It operates from Rod El-Farag Corridor and [[Cairo University]] to [[Adly Mansour Transportation Hub|Adly Mansour]], where it connects to the [[Cairo Light Rail Transit]]. Eventually, it will be extended to [[Cairo International Airport]]. The line crosses under the two branches of the River Nile, as does Line 2. The total length of the line will be approximately {{convert|50|km|mi|1}}, most of which are in the bored tunnel, and will be implemented in four phases.<ref name="line 3">{{cite web |author=Abeer Saady |url=http://aegypten.ahk.de/index.php?id=719&L=15 |title=Cairo's Metro Gets Bigger & Better |publisher=German-Arab chamber of industry and commerce |date=May–June 2007 |access-date=2008-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211055149/http://aegypten.ahk.de/index.php?id=719&L=15 |archive-date=11 December 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Phase 1 from Attaba station to [[Abbassia (Cairo Metro)|Abbassia station]] opened in 21 February 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.4-traders.com/VINCI-4725/news/VINCI-Opening-of-Phase-1-of-Line-3-of-the-Cairo-metro-14035130/|title=VINCI : Opening of Phase 1 of Line 3 of the Cairo metro|website=4-traders.com|publisher=Surperformance|date=22 February 2012|access-date=2014-06-27}}</ref> with five stations and a total length of {{convert|4.3|km|mi|1}}.<ref name=urbanrail /><ref name="Line3">{{cite web |url=http://railway-news.com/cairo-metro-line-3-phase-4-enters-commercial-service/ |title=Line 3 |date=19 August 2020 |publisher=railway-news |access-date=2020-08-24}}</ref> Phase 2 to Al Ahram Station was opened in 7 May 2014, by [[Adly Mansour]],<ref>{{cite news |title=New Abbasiya-Heliopolis metro line opens in Cairo |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/100698/Business/Economy/New-AbbasiyaHeliopolis-metro-line-opens-in-Cairo-.aspx |newspaper=Ahram Online |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=2014-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/africa/single-view/view/cairo-metro-line-3-extension-opens.html |title=Cairo metro Line 3 extension opens |journal=[[Railway Gazette International]] |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=2014-06-27 |archive-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925025345/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/africa/single-view/view/cairo-metro-line-3-extension-opens.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> with four additional stations and an added length of {{convert|7.7|km|mi|1}},<ref name="Line3" /> for a total length of {{convert|12.0|km|mi|1}}. Phase 4A from Al Ahram to El Shams Club opened in 15 June 2019 (except for Heliopolis Square station which opened later that year).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/336226/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-opens-three-new-stations-in-the-Cairo-metro-.aspx|title=Egypt opens three new stations in the Cairo metro system ahead of 2019 AFCON - Politics - Egypt|website=Ahram Online}}</ref> Phase 3A from Attaba station to Kit Kat station opened in October 2022. Phase 3B from Kit Kat station to Rod El-Farag Corridor station opened in January 2024, adding six more stations and {{convert|6.6|km|mi|1}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mobilitycairo.com/en/green_line_3_expands |title=Green Line 3 Expands in the World's Most Densely Populated Neighborhood |access-date=2024-01-04}}</ref> and began revenue service on 1 January 2024.<ref name="line3open">{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |title=أول هدايا الرئيس في 2024.. إطلاق 6 محطات جديدة للمترو خلال ساعات |url=https://www.elbalad.news/6057797}}</ref> Phase 3C from Kit Kat to Cairo University was opened in 15 May 2024.<ref name="line3phase3copen">{{cite web |title=Cairo Metro opens final expansion of Line 3's third phase |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/news/cairo-metro-final-expansion-line-3/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=railway-technology.com |publisher=Railway Technology}}</ref>

==History==

===Background===

As the biggest and most densely populated [[megacity]] in [[Africa]] and the [[Middle East]], [[Greater Cairo]] had a strong case for a metro. In 1987 that population stood at 10 million residents, not counting the two million or so commuters who came into Cairo every day to work.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|11}} The capacity of Cairo's public transport infrastructure was around 20,000 passengers/hour, which increased to 60,000 after the construction of the metro.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|14}}

===Proposed plans===
The idea of a metro was first proposed in the 1930s by engineer Saiyed Abdel Wahed of the [[Egyptian National Railways|Egyptian Railway Authority]],<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|15}} however, the idea did not progress. Following the [[Egyptian Revolution of 1952]], there was renewed interest in the idea. In 1954 French experts made a report about the future of the transportation in Egypt. They proposed a metro encompassing two lines, one {{Cvt|12|km}} long line connecting [[Bab al-Louq]] and [[Ismailia]] and a second {{Cvt|5|km}} line connecting [[Boulaq]] and Abou al-Ela Castle. They also proposed that there should be one company in charge of all transportation systems.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|15}}

Later on, multiple experts came to Egypt regarding that project: [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] experts in 1956, [[Japanese people|Japanese]] experts in 1960 and French experts in 1962, which concluded the following:
The creation of a metro system with multiple lines. The first is a {{Cvt|5|km}} line connecting [[Helwan]] with [[El-Marg]] going under Kasr el Eini street and Ramses Street.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|15}} The second line would be from [[Sayyidah Zainab Mosque, Cairo|Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque]] to [[Shobra]] going under [[Downtown Cairo]] and would be {{Cvt|9.5|km}} long.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|15}} The third would be from [[Giza]] to [[Abbaseya]] and would be {{Cvt|11.5|km}} long. The fourth would be from Al Awqaf to the Castle and would be {{Cvt|6.7|km}} long.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|15}}

In 1964, British experts advised the creation of a metro line from Bab El Louk to Shubra.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|16}} In 1966 Japanese experts advised the creation of a lane between Helwan and El Marg and another one going through [[Mohandiseen]], [[Heliopolis (Cairo suburb)|Heliopolis]] and 26 of July Street, for a total of {{Cvt|26|km|4=1}}.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|16}} Lastly, in 1969, the government approved the need for a study showing the needed capacity for Cairo's transportation system.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|16}} The Egyptian [[Ministry of Transportation (Egypt)|Ministry of Transport]] issued an international [[Request for tender|tender]] for the creation of the study. Eight companies applied and the French company [[SOFRETU]] won the tender on 20 September 1970.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|17}} The study was finished in 1973 and included mainly the study of the population development in [[Cairo]] and its needs for transportation capacity in 1980, 1985 and 1990. It concluded the necessity for three lines in greater Cairo to solve the transportation problem.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|18}}
The first line would use the already available railways (Helwan-Bab El luk and Al Laymoun Bridge-El Marg) and connect them through a metro. It would be in total {{Cvt|43|km|4=1}} long. The second line would be {{Cvt|13.5|km}} and connect [[Shubra El-Kheima]] and [[Bulaq]] going through Ramses Street and [[Tahrir Square]]. The third line would go from El Darasa to [[Imbaba]] and would be in total {{Cvt|10|km}} long.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|19}}

The priority for the project was the first line which would reduce 30% of the daily transport to and from Cairo and would incorporate pre-existing rail infrastructure.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|19}} The detailed study of the construction took 6 years from 1975 to 1981.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|19}} A tender was made for the construction of the metro and the Egyptian-French company Entra Nevra Arabco won it and had the task of constructing the metro system.<ref name=Salama1987/>{{rp|20}}

===Construction works===
The construction of Line 1 started in 1982 after the French government agreed on giving Egypt the necessary loan. The first section was opened in 27 September 1987<ref name=metrobits /> and the line was completed in 1989 connecting Helwan with [[El-Marg (Cairo Metro)|El Marg]] and consisting of 34 stations with a total length of 42.5&nbsp;km of which 4.7&nbsp;km underground.<ref name="Line1-NAT">{{cite web |url=http://www.nat.org.eg/english/Line1.html |title=Line 1 |publisher=National Authority for Tunnels |access-date=2014-05-24 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024133954/http://www.nat.org.eg/english/Line1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1999, New El Marg station was added to the northern end of the line, bringing its total length to 44&nbsp;km.<ref name="line1" /> Helwan University station was built between Wadi Houf and Ain Helwan stations.<ref name="Line 4 environics">{{cite web|title=National Authority for Tunnels - EIA Study for Greater Cairo Metro Line No.4 Phase 1 - Final Report|url=http://nurhosting.com/NAT/EIAMetroLine4Phase1EnglishFinal.pdf|website=nurhosting.com|publisher=Environics|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref>

Cairo's metro network was greatly expanded in the mid-1990s with the building of Line 2, from Shoubra El Kheima to [[Cairo University]], with an extension to [[Giza]]. The line includes the first tunnel under the [[Nile]].<ref name="general info">{{cite web |url=http://www.egyts.com/tunnelling_p_cairometro.htm |title=Greater Cairo Metro Network |publisher=Egyptian Tunneling Society |date=15 April 2007 |access-date=2008-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/322657.stm |title=Cairo's metro goes under Nile |newspaper=BBC News |date=19 April 1999 |access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref> The construction of the line was finished in October 2000, and it was later extended to El Mounib.<ref name="general info"/>

==Proposed lines==
[[File:Cairo Rapid Transit map.png|center|thumb|600px|Cairo Metro, LRT, and monorail expansion plans]]

===Line 4 (Hadayek El Ashgar - El Rehab)===

Line 4 is planned to run from Haram District to the [[New Cairo]] district, connecting Greater Cairo from West to East. It will cross the two branches of the Nile river and have a total length of {{convert|24|km|mi|1}}.<ref name=railway /><ref name=urbanrail /> 
Construction began in 2024 for completion in 2028.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2024/01/18/egypts-president-sisi-approves-100-billion-yen-loan-for-cairo-metro-expansion/|title=Egypt’s President Sisi Approves 100 Billion Yen Loan for Cairo Metro Expansion &#124; Egyptian Streets|first=Egyptian|last=Streets|date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2024/05/21/madbouly-inspects-progress-of-cairo-metro-line-4-phase-1/|title=Madbouly inspects progress of Cairo Metro Line 4, Phase 1|first=Daily News|last=Egypt|date=20 May 2024}}</ref>

Phase 1 (west) of the project will run from ''El-Malek El-Saleh Station'' (Interchange with Line 1) to the ''October-Oasis Highway Station'' with a total length of 18&nbsp;km, passing through ''Giza Railway Station'' (Interchange with Line 2);<ref name="Line 4">{{cite web|title=Egypt begins Cairo Metro Line 4's Phase I in FY15|url=https://www.zawya.com/story/Egypt_begins_Cairo_Metro_Line_4s_Phase_I_in_FY15-ZAWYA20140604063613/|website=zawya.com|publisher=Zawya|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref><ref name=trade>{{cite web|title=Egypt to begin Cairo Metro Line 4 in 2015|url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_259476.html|website=TradeArabia Business News Information|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> the original plan for phase 1 was for it to start from ''El-Malek El-Saleh Station'' and end at the ''[[Grand Egyptian Museum]] Station'' with a total length of 10&nbsp;km, but the Ministry of Roads & Transportation decided to extend the Line in their efforts to further connect the Governorate of 6 October to the [[Greater Cairo]] Area; Phase 1 also includes the plan to connect the end of Line 4 to the suburbs of 6 October mainly through executing ''The October 6th Tram system'' (The ''O6T'') which will be by using a [[tram-train]] system supplied with the Alstom [[Regio-Citadis]] trams.<ref name="Protenders Line 4 Phase 1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.protenders.com/projects/cairo-metro-line-4-phase-1 |title=Cairo Metro Line 4 (Phase 1) |date=2019-01-31 |website=www.protenders.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214220422/https://www.protenders.com/projects/cairo-metro-line-4-phase-1 |archive-date=2019-02-14 |url-status=live |access-date=2019-02-14 |quote=The project's scope of work involves the construction of metro line 4 in Cairo, Egypt. The Phase 1 metro line will run from El-Malek El-Saleh Station (Interchange with Line 1) to the October-Oasis Highway Station with a total length of 18 km, passing through Giza Railway Station (Interchange with Line 2). The project also includes the plan to connect the end of Line 4 to the suburbs of 6 October mainly through executing The October 6th Tram system (The O6T) which will be by using a Tram-train system supplied with the Alstom Regio-Citadis trams. <br /><br />For the rolling stock, the project will require eight train sets, with each featuring 23 cars.}}</ref> This phase will have 15 stations to be constructed with a duration of 6.5 years.<ref name="Line 4 environics" /> Phase 1 stations will be equipped with an automatic fare collection system and platform screen doors, and will include elevators for the use of disabled passengers.<ref name="Line 4 environics" />
Phase 1 bidding was postponed until May 2015 to enable [[Japan International Cooperation Agency]] (JICA) to complete the feasibility study and to resolve other problems with the construction starting by 2015 or 2016 according to Ismail El-Nagdy, Chairman of the National Authority for Tunnels with Japan International Cooperation Agency financing a $1.2 billion loan, while Egyptian government would cover the remainder, $2.4 billion.<ref name="Line 4" /><ref name=trade /><ref>{{cite web|title=Cairo Metro|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2014/12/02/cairo-metro-3/|website=Railways Africa|access-date=25 January 2015|date=2 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Briginshaw|first1=David|title=Egypt allocates funds to expand Cairo metro|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/africa/egypt-allocates-funds-to-expand-cairo-metro.html|website=International Railway Journal|publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc.|access-date=22 January 2015|date=14 November 2014}}</ref>

Phase 2 will begin from ''El-Malek El-Saleh Station'', passing east through Magra El-Oyoun street and Salah El-Din Citadel in Salah Salem street and ending at the ''6th District Station'' (beginning of [[Nasr City]] district) with a completion date set at October 2018.<ref name=railway />

Phase 3 will begin from ''6th District Station'' and end at ''Makram Ebeid Station'', following ''Mustafa El-Nahas street'' in bored tunnels under the existing old tram system, and ultimately deconstructing the old railway and paving its right-of-way (increasing the street by two lanes in each direction, which is critically needed to lighten the traffic congestion in the area). This phase has a completion date set for October 2019.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} Mitsubishi was the only company to submit an offer on a tender for 64 trains in the third and fourth phases of the project. The offer was accepted in October 2018.<ref name="NATMitsubishi">{{Cite news |url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2018/10/28/nat-accepts-mitsubishis-technical-offer-to-supply-first-phase-trains-for-fourth-metroline/ |title=NAT accepts Mitsubishi's technical offer to supply first-phase trains for fourth Metroline |last=El-Din |first=Mohamed Alaa |date=2018-10-28 |work=Daily News Egypt |access-date=2019-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214215218/https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2018/10/28/nat-accepts-mitsubishis-technical-offer-to-supply-first-phase-trains-for-fourth-metroline/ |archive-date=2019-02-14 |url-status=live |language=en-US}}</ref>

Phase 4, the final phase, will begin from ''Makram Ebeid Station'' with bored tunnels following Doctor Hassan El-Sherif street and Ahmed El-Zomor street, ending at ''Police Academy Station'' near the Ring Road.<ref name=railway />

===The New Cairo Monorail===
{{Main|Cairo Monorail}}

This project was first proposed by private investors as a plan to connect ''Line 3'' with ''Line 4'', through a route that is mostly parallel to the [[Ring Road (Cairo)|Ring Road's]] eastern arc, therefore covering [[New Cairo]] from north to south starting at the [[Cairo International Airport]] and ending at the beginning of the Cairo-Ain Sokhna Highway.{{Citation needed|reason=Please add reference on New Cairo Monorail and it's proposed stations|date=July 2018}}

In August 2016, a different monorail project was under discussion, connecting [[6th of October (city)|6 October city]] with other western parts of Greater Cairo. The line was expected to be {{Cvt|35|km|4=1}} long, cost $1.5 billion, and be completed by 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/242058/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt,-Canada%E2%80%99s-Bombardier-discuss-monorail-projec.aspx|access-date=2017-08-21|title=Egypt, Canada's Bombardier discuss monorail project near Cairo|publisher=Ahram Online|language=en}}</ref>

A contract was signed in August 2019 with [[Bombardier Transportation]], [[Orascom Construction]], and [[Arab Contractors]] for $4.5 billion to build and operate the two monorail lines. The first will run 54&nbsp;km from eastern Cairo to the [[New Administrative Capital of Egypt|new administrative capital]]. The second will run 42&nbsp;km from 6 October City to Giza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.urbantransportnews.com/news/cairo-awards-contract-to-supply-and-operation-of-two-monorail-lines-in-egypt/|title=Cairo awards contract to supply and operation of two monorail lines in Egypt|date=2019-08-13|website=Urban Transport News|language=en-US|access-date=2021-11-22}}</ref>

===[[Qalyub]] Line 2 extension===
As of December 2017, Spokesperson for the Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) said that there are plans to extend Line 2 7 kilometers to the north from Shubra Al-Kheima station to end at [[Qalyub]] station due to the increasing traffic in north Cairo entrances, He also said that bidding will be held in February 2018 and the winner will be revealed mid-2018. The station will be an at-grade station built parallel to the train railway, bridges will be built to divert traffic from the Metro route.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterprise.press/stories/2017/02/20/transport-minister-looks-to-expand-cairo-metro-line-2/|access-date=2017-03-21|title=Egypt, Transport Minister looks to extend Cairo Metro Line 2 to Qalyub|publisher=Enterprise Press|language=en}}</ref>

===[[Cairo International Airport]] Line 3 extension===
Line 3 Phase 4C is proposed to start from [[Heliopolis (Cairo Metro)|Heliopolis station]] passing through Al-Hegaz Square and Military Academy area to Sheraton District and after {{Cvt|7.0|km}} ending at [[Cairo International Airport]]. If built, it would have five tunnel stations. There is no proposed completion date for this phase.

===Long-term plans===

A transportation study of the Greater Cairo region was completed in 1999. It recommended the implementation of a six-line system consisting of lines 1, 2 and 3 (existing); and lines 4, 5 and 6. The completed Metro Network would be capable of serving most of the densely populated areas in the Greater Cairo region, which was much in need of a comprehensive mass transit system. The plans include interchange stations between the six metro lines and would also provides interchange facilities with existing main railway stations, the airport, and bus stations.

The six planned metro lines aim to meet the transportation demands of the Greater Cairo area up to the year 2032.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Alaa El-Din|first1=Mohamed|title=4 companies qualify for final tender of Cairo metro line 4 phase I|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2016/08/30/4-companies-qualify-final-tender-cairo-metro-line-4-phase/|website=Daily News Egypt|access-date=12 April 2017|date=30 August 2016}}</ref> However, the actual construction and implementation schedule will be restricted by available funding, and the timetable will likely slip.

'''Line 5''' would be a half-circular line connecting lines 1-4 in northern Cairo, running from Nasr City in the east to Port Said Street and Shubra El Kheima in the west. It would have a length of {{convert|20|km|mi|0}}, entirely within bored tunnels.<ref name="railway" /><ref name="urbanrail" /> It would intersect Line 1 at ''Helmiet el-Zaitoun station'', Line 2 at ''El-Khalafawy station'', Line 3 at ''Haroun station'', and Line 4 at ''Al-Wafaa we al-Amal station''.<ref name="tunneling">{{cite web |url=http://www.nat.org.eg/english/Futurepro.html |title=National Authority for Tunnel |access-date=2017-01-10}}</ref>

'''Line 6''' would be a north-south line, from Shubra in the north to the [[Maadi]] and [[Helwan]] districts in the south. It would run from ''Ataba Station'' through ''El Kalaa street'' in bored tunnels to ''Salah Eldin Citadel Station'' (Interchange with ''Line 4'') and move on from there to both districts via bored tunnels using the existing route ''El-Mahager Railway'' as a guide through both Maadi and Helwan. This Line has a length of {{convert|19|km|mi|0}}.<ref name="railway" /><ref name="urbanrail" /> It would intersect Line 1 at ''Ghamra station'', Line 3 at ''Bab al-Sharia station'', Line 4 at ''Amr Ibn al-Ase station'', and Line 5 at ''Sawah station''.<ref name="tunneling" />

== Network map ==
{{Rapid transit OSM map
| system_qid   = Q685381
| frame-lat    = 30.05
| frame-long   = 31.24
| frame-width  = 600
| frame-height = 450
| zoom         = 10
| length       = yes
}}

==See also==

* [[List of Cairo Metro stations]]
* [[List of metro systems]]
* [[Cairo Light Rail Transit]]
* [[Cairo Monorail]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group="Note"}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
;Other references:
*{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/world/middleeast/cairos-subway-is-efficient-orderly-and-dependable.html |title=Cairo Journal: Underground, Everything That Life Above Is Not |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=3 May 2012}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=Metro Al Anfaq|first=Saiyed|last=Salama|publisher=Dar Al Maaref|year=1987|isbn=978-977-02-2155-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zC0VAAAACAAJ|ref=none}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cairo Metro}}
{{Wikivoyage|Cairo}}

*[https://cairometro.gov.eg/en Cairo Metro – official website] {{in lang|en}}

{{Cairo Metro}}
{{Urban rail transit in Africa}}
{{Rapid transit in Africa}}

{{coord missing|Egypt}}

[[Category:Cairo Metro| ]]
[[Category:Transport in Cairo|+]]
[[Category:Giza]]
[[Category:Rapid transit in Egypt]]
[[Category:Underground rapid transit in Egypt]]
[[Category:Electric railways in Egypt]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Egypt]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1987]]
[[Category:Downtown Cairo]]
[[Category:750 V DC railway electrification]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge railways in Egypt]]