Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and seven ministers have recently discussed the broadlines of a plan aimed at upgrading the railway services.
The Premier, during the meeting attended by Ministers of Transport, Finance, Planning, Investments, Industry, Home Trade and International Cooperation as well as Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, approved more allocations estimated at LE 318 million to improve the service and renovate trains.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, the Government's spokesman said that the plan will see regular maintenance and upgrading work on passenger and freight trains, rail trucks and communications systems. Mr. Magdi Radi, added that the plan also includes making the best economic use of capital assets like train stations, open- air storage areas and warehouses, owned by the Railway Authority.
Egypt's railway network -- the first in the Middle East and Africa -- is burdened by overstaffing, low fares and under-investment. Its equipment and facilities are old and its services are often poor.
