The high-speed electric train, or Habi, is a project to establish four high-speed electric railway lines for transporting people and goods in Egypt, with a total length of approximately 2000 km. The first line connects Ain Sokhna and Marsa Matrouh, the second connects 6th of October City and Abu Simbel, the third links Qena and Safaga, and the fourth joins Port Said and Abu Qir.
This project is being executed by a consortium of companies including Siemens from Germany, Arab Contractors, and Orascom Construction. Siemens will handle all electrical, mechanical, control, and train manufacturing aspects of the project, as well as constructing the maintenance workshop and installing its equipment. Arab Contractors and Orascom will undertake the construction of embankments, bridges, industrial works for the tracks, passenger stations, and fences. The general consultant for the project’s lines is the French company Systra.
The construction cost is approximately $11 billion. The consortium of Deutsche Bahn and Elsewedy Electric will manage and operate the three lines for 15 years, with an option to renew for another 15 years, totaling a 30-year contract.
The high-speed electric train project is part of Egypt’s clean transportation system, utilizing electric power. This system includes the Alexandria tram, Alexandria Metro, Cairo Metro, Monorail, LRT (Light Rail Transit), BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), and it works in parallel with Egypt’s railways to transport passengers and goods to and from major cities and ports.