CAIRO: Two new air-conditioned carriages will operate on the oldest metro line running from Helwan to Marg districts next month, Youm7 reported Friday.
The new carriages are imported from South Korea and the Egyptian factory SEMAF; they will be tested before entering service, Aly Fadaly, head of the Metro Company said in a statement.
A total of five air-conditioned carriages have been operated on the old line. The sixth carriage is set to be operated within two weeks.
The rest of nine newly imported carriages, including the two new ones, are expected to ready for operation next month.
The new imported carriages are part of a South Korean deal to export 20 trains purchased from Hyundai Rotem for 2.2 billion EGP ($288.8 million.)
The deal aims to improve service for passengers using the first metro line, while the old ones will be under maintenance.
Egypt has also concluded an agreement with French Thales to buy 850 smartcard turnstiles for first and second metro lines at a cost of $160 million.