Wednesday’s operation constitutes the first phase of an initiative that includes 145 electric cars to be gradually put into operation within the new capital, said the Ministry of Transport in a statement.

The fleet will consist of 60 Chevrolet Bolts and 85 MG4 vehicles for serving citizens and commuters in the new capital.

To reserve the new electric taxi, download its application that will be launched Wednesday. It offers payment by credit card and cash.

A hotline number (19157) will also be available to receive passengers’ complaints and suggestions to ensure comfort and high-quality services.

The ministry says the new electric vehicles (EVs) contain advanced safety features, interior and exterior surveillance systems, and GPS devices.

The vehicles will also offer constant communication with the central control room at SuperJet transportation company, which belongs to the ministry.

Moreover, they are environmentally friendly and noiseless, with no emissions, and will have highly trained drivers behind the wheel, the ministry added.

These electric taxis are the second mode of transportation to operate within the new capital, following the buses introduced by the local mass transit company ACTA in December.

The new capital is also gearing up for the East Nile Monorail, which will pass through eight stations, and the third phase of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, which will have seven stations there.

Turning green
 

This integrated eco-friendly system goes with the country’s broader plans for a green mobility network, as it aims to complement other means of transportation leading to the capital from all parts of the country.

The monorail, whose East Nile line’s first phase has been in experimental operation without passengers since November 2023, will supplement the LRT to link the new capital to Greater Cairo.

It was initially set to open in 2023, but because the construction of the first line was delayed, the East Nile branch will commence trial operations by October 2024.

Eventually, the two-line monorail network will extend for almost 100 km, serving 35 stations.

Construction of the new capital, situated 60km from downtown Cairo, began in 2015.

It covers 714 million square metres, twice the size of Cairo, and will accommodate 6.5 million residents upon completion.

Since the first half of 2023, most ministries gradually relocated their headquarters to the Government District at the new capital upon President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s directives in late 2021.

In November 2023, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stated that 48,108 employees had already relocated to the new capital.

To make it easier for government employees to reach their offices in the new capital, a light rail train (LRT) came into service in 2023.

The 100 km LRT, constructed by the transportation ministry and a consortium of Egyptian companies, links Cairo with the New Administrative Capital.

China’s CREC-AVIC INTL manufactured the trains, and France’s RATP Dev manages and operates the line.