Egypt Daily News – The recent increase in train ticket prices implemented by the Egyptian National Railway Authority on August 1, 2024, has sparked significant public interest and concern among citizens seeking information about the new rates. The adjustments in ticket prices are part of the Ministry of Transport’s broader initiative aimed at modernizing and developing the railway system while addressing congestion at ticket windows.
Here are some key details regarding the price changes:
- The price of a first-class Telugu ticket on the Cairo-Alexandria line rose by 50 pounds, now costing 275 pounds, up from 225 pounds.
- The price for a second-class Telugu ticket also increased by 25 pounds, now priced at 175 pounds instead of 150 pounds.
- For Spanish Talgo trains operating on the Upper Egypt line, first and second-class tickets remained unchanged.
- Other train categories, including Spanish, French, VIP first-class, and various third-class Russian trains, saw an overall increase of 12.5%, with prices rounded to the nearest five pounds.
- Suburban and “long live Egypt” trains experienced a price hike of 25%, again rounded to the nearest five pounds.
To facilitate the purchasing process, the Railway Authority provides several options for obtaining tickets:
- Tickets can be purchased at ticket windows located in train stations.
- Purchasing offices are available in government institutions and unions throughout the Republic.
- An online booking system allows for electronic reservations through the official Egyptian Railways website and app.
- An immediate payment system is available for booking via various sales agents across the country, totaling 820,000 points of sale.
Passengers can reserve their tickets up to 14 days in advance and utilize electronic payment methods such as credit and debit cards at select stations, which aim to streamline the ticketing process and reduce wait times at ticket booths.
As the public adjusts to these new prices, the impact on train ridership and overall satisfaction with the services offered by the Egyptian National Railway Authority will likely be topics of discussion in the coming days.
