Egypt launches Africa’s first driverless monorail

Dhaka: Egypt has opened the first section of its new driverless monorail network, a major step in easing traffic congestion in the Cairo metropolitan area. The East Nile line, which began operations in May, stretches 56.5 kilometers between Nasr City and the New Administrative Capital.

Once the second line is completed, the network will span more than 100 kilometers, making it the world’s longest monorail system. The fully electric trains can operate without drivers and are designed to carry up to 500,000 passengers daily.

Built by a consortium led by French rail company Alstom, the project is part of Egypt’s broader effort to modernize transportation and support the growth of its new capital city. Officials said, as per reports, the system offers a cleaner and more efficient alternative to road travel, while critics question whether it will significantly reduce congestion in the near term.

The monorail is expected to play a key role in Egypt’s long-term urban development plans and could serve as a model for other rapidly growing cities across Africa.