Egyptian government opens third metro line

The first phase of Cairo's third metro line Cairo – Hesham Shahin Egyptian Transport Minister Galal Al-Sayed on Tuesday opened the first phase of Cairo's third metro line. The line extends from Abbasseya to Attaba, at a construction cost of LE 4.2 billion ($695 million), and comprises five stations.
Trial runs have also been carried out in preparation for the opening ceremony. Between 250,000 to 300,000 passengers are expected to be transported daily.
The ceremony will begin at the Abbasseya Metro Station, after which Al-Sayed will board a train to Attaba Metro Station, passing through Abbasseya, Bab Shaaria, Abdu Pasha, Armed Forces Street and finally to Attaba stations.
He also explained that 60 per cent of the second phase of the line had been completed. The second phase extends over an area of seven kilometres from Abbasseya to Ahram Square in Heliopolis, and is expected to transport over 600,000 passengers per day after completion.
Sayed said he expected the third line to be fully completed within four to five years, and that it will run its course from Abbasseya to Kit Kat, passing through Zamalek, Abbasseya, Attaba and Haram. The line will transport 1.5 to 2 million passengers a day, which will help reduce traffic on Cairo’s streets.