• Hitachi Rail signed a contract with Hassan Allam Construction and Arab Contractors to modernize Alexandria’s 13.2 km tramway network, including 24 stations.

• The upgrade will double operating speed from 11 km/h to 21 km/h and reduce travel time from 60 to 35 minutes.

• The project aligns with Egypt’s “Vision 2030” plan to modernize transport infrastructure and cut carbon emissions.

Hitachi Rail has secured a contract with Egyptian construction firms Hassan Allam Construction and Arab Contractors to modernize the historic tramway of Alexandria. The project aims to bring the system up to international standards of performance, safety, and sustainability.

Under the agreement, the consortium will rebuild 24 stations and renovate 13.2 kilometers of track. Once completed, the tram’s average operating speed will rise from 11 km/h to 21 km/h, reducing end-to-end travel time from 60 to 35 minutes. Service frequency will also improve, with intervals cut from nine minutes to three.

Hitachi Rail will deploy advanced signaling and communication systems, a modern operations control center, and digital tools for monitoring, passenger information, and video surveillance. These upgrades are designed to enhance service reliability, safety, and passenger experience.

“The project marks a major step toward transforming Alexandria’s public transport into a safer, faster, and more sustainable system,” the company said in a statement.

The tramway modernization is part of Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy, which focuses on sustainable transport and reduced carbon emissions. The project also preserves the cultural legacy of Alexandria’s tramway—first launched in 1863 and recognized as the oldest operating tram system in Africa and the Middle East.

The initiative adds to Egypt’s broader investments in transport infrastructure, including high-speed trains, skyways, and light metro projects. The government seeks to modernize its aging railway network, improve public safety, and integrate different transport modes to provide more efficient mobility options for citizens.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum