NAT decreased Metro Line 2 air conditioned trains to 6 from 13

The National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) has reduced the number of air-conditioned trains it is planning to buy for Cairo Metro’s Line 2 to six from 13. Technical assessments have shown that the line did not require the 13 trains as projected initially, Al Borsa reports. NAT’s spokesperson says the trains will cost EGP 3 bn in total and the purchase will be financed partly by an EUR 100 mn European Investment Bank loan. On a related note, the Transportation Ministry will start evaluating financial and technical offers from Japanese companies to establish the first phase of Cairo Metro Line 4 in mid-July, Transport Minister Hisham Arafat says, Al Mal reports. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency is funding a part of the first phase, with a USD 1.28 bn facility, representing 40% of the EGP 25 bn line.