Transport in Cairo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Transport in Cairo comprises an extensive road network, rail system, subway system and maritime services for the more than 15.2 million inhabitants of the city. Cairo is the hub of almost the entire Egyptian transport network.
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[edit] Transport Today
[edit] Road System
An extensive road network connects Cairo with other Egyptian cities and villages. There is a new Ring Road that surrounds the outskirts of the city, with exits that reach to almost every Cairo district. There are flyovers, and bridges such as the Sixth of October bridge that allows straight, fast and efficient means of transport from one side of the city to the other. Cairo traffic is known to be overwhelming and overcrowded.
[edit] Bus System
There is a public bus system that offers several lines of service in different classes and prices. There is the standard bus service, the air-conditioned service, known as CTA short for Cairo Transport Authority (for a higher price) and Mini-buses (smaller buses and more extensive network).
Other transport services includes the traditional Cairo Taxi and Micro-buses, both are privately run by individuals. The Micro-buses are the cheapest form of transport in Cairo, yet not very reliable. The traditional Cairo Taxi is also run by individuals and usually operate on older models of cars that are being replaced by the effective Cairo Cab for a more modern look in the city. Image:Cairo taxi1.jpg
[edit] Cairo Cab
The introduction of a new organized private Taxi service was finally realized in March, 2006. The new "yellow" taxis offer a more reliable, luxurious and advanced taxi service in modern air-coditioned cars (Hyundai Elantra, Volks Wagen Parrati and the Chevrolet Optra) through the help of three privately run companies operating in Cairo, Giza and Qalyubia. There are stops for the cabs and there is a free number to order a cab. The cab drivers talk English for the millions of tourists.An average cab ride is $3 USD, prices may vary on distance. There are now 130 cabs and it is estimated that at the end of the project there will be 2000 cabs.
[edit] Cairo Metro
The Cairo Metro in Egypt is Africa's only full-fledged metro system. The system currently consists of two operational lines, with a third in an advanced stage of planning. The metro is run by the National Authority for Tunnels. The line uses standard gauge (1435 mm). Ticket price is EGP 1.00 for each journey (as of July 2006, EUR 0.14 or USD 0.18), regardless of distance. On all Cairo metros, the first two cars of each train are reserved for women until early evening as an option for women who don't wish to ride with men in the same car, however women can still ride other cars freely.
[edit] Tram
Constructed near the beginning of the 20th century, the Tram system is still used in modern day Cairo, especially in modern areas, like Heliopolis, Nasr City.
[edit] Train
Cairo is extensively connected to other Eyptian cities and villages by rail operated by the Egyptian National Railways. Cairo's main railway station - Ramses Station (Mahattat Ramses) is located on Midan Ramses.
[edit] Nile Ferry
There s a maritime ferry boat system that crosses the Nile River.
