Alexandria's Tram Will Be Developed to Cut Travel Time by Half
he upgrade covers 13.2 kilometres of track and 24 stations, and introduces new signalling and communications networks.
Hitachi Rail, a global railway technology and systems provider headquartered in Japan, has been awarded a contract by Hassan Allam Construction and Arab Contractors to deliver advanced rail systems for the Alexandria Raml Tram modernisation project.
The upgrade covers 13.2 kilometres of track and 24 stations, introducing new signalling and communications networks, an operational control centre, supervisory control systems, security and access management, passenger information systems, and onboard equipment.
The project aims to overhaul the Raml Tram’s performance by reducing end-to-end journey time from 60 minutes to 35 minutes, doubling operating speed from 11 km/h to 21 km/h, and cutting headways from nine minutes to three. Capacity is expected to increase from 4,700 to 13,800 passengers per hour in each direction. Station rebuilding and refurbishment will take place alongside the deployment of the new systems.
Dating back to 1863, the Raml Tram is one of the oldest continuously operating tramways in the world and is among the few still running double-deck tram cars.
Earlier this year, the joint venture of Hassan Allam Construction and Arab Contractors secured the rehabilitation contract from the National Authority for Tunnels. Hitachi Rail said its systems package is intended to enhance the reliability, security and overall performance of the historic line.
