CAIRO: The ticket price for the first and second-class air conditioned trains has increased by 10 and 20 EGP ($1.5 and $3,) respectively, as of Wednesday, Youm7 reported.
The decision was issued following a Tuesday meeting of the board directors of the Egyptian National Railways (ENR.)
The hike will not affect third class trains and student train passes, Head of the ENR Ahmed Hamed was quoted by Youm7.
“The hike aims to help funding the governmental long term plans to develop the entire railway system, including upgrading the outdated coaches, tractor units and modernizing the railroad crossings nationwide, with the help of a loan from the World Bank,” said Hamed.
The worn-out network, which is the first railroad in Africa and the Middle East, transports around 1.4 million passengers every day.
In 2013, revenues of the ENR dropped by 34 percent compared 2012 due to repeated suspension of its movement following the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 due to “security reasons” and sabotage acts, Al-Ahram reported.
Scuffles at Ramses train station in Cairo have occurred Wednesday after travelers learned the increase in prices, Youm7 reported.