Photo: Egypt's Cabinet official page
El-Wazir made the remarks during an inspection of Phase II works on the BRT network around Greater Cairo, according to a Ministry of Transport statement.
The minister said the BRT was adopted as an alternative to Metro Line 5, which had been planned to run for about 24 kilometres through underground tunnelling with 17 stations. By contrast, the BRT network spans 110 kilometres, largely at surface level, and will include 48 stations across three phases along the Ring Road.
Phase II of the project extends 57 kilometres from El-Moshir Tantawy Station to the Fayoum Road interchange and includes 21 stations. Phase I is currently operating between the Ring Road’s intersection with the Cairo–Alexandria Agricultural Road and the Police Academy station.
El-Wazir said strong public demand during Phase I underscored the need to accelerate completion of the second phase.
All BRT stations will include terminals, waiting areas, and commercial zones, he added, with officials reviewing passenger access via pedestrian bridges and underpasses, ticketing systems, electronic gates, and connectivity with bus terminals located beneath the Ring Road.
The BRT operates on segregated lanes using locally manufactured electric buses, as part of efforts to expand mass transit, reduce reliance on private vehicles, cut travel times and costs, and limit environmental impact, the minister said.
The system is designed to link major Ring Road interchanges, including Suez Road, Adly Mansour, El-Marg, and Mostorod, connecting east and west Cairo through a single transport mode, with interchanges to Metro Line 1, Metro Line 3, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) network.
During the visit, El-Wazir also reviewed progress on Phase II of the Greater Cairo Ring Road development project, covering 34 kilometres between the Cairo–Alexandria Agricultural and Desert roads. Works include bridge expansions, new traffic axes, and continuous construction schedules.
Phase I of the Ring Road upgrade, covering 76 kilometres, has already improved traffic flow, reduced journey times and lowered fuel consumption, he said.
Trial passenger operations for Phase I of the BRT began on 1 June, serving 14 stations along a 35-kilometre stretch of the Ring Road.
Fares are calculated by the number of stations travelled, starting at EGP 5 for up to four stations, rising to EGP 10 for nine stations, with a maximum fare of EGP 15 for the full 14-station route.
The air-conditioned electric buses operate at three-minute intervals, reduced to 1.5 minutes during peak hours.
Short link: