Egypt to Build Electric River Buses

Why this is here: The new electric river buses will each accommodate 60 passengers on the Nile, contributing to Cairo’s efforts to diversify public transport options.

In Cairo, Egypt, officials signed an agreement to produce five electric river buses. The buses will serve Cairo’s public transportation network as the government modernizes water transport and expands green options. Suez Canal Authority’s Modern Ship Building Company will construct the vessels under the supervision of the Italian marine classification society RINA.

Each river bus can carry 60 passengers and measures 19 meters long by 5.5 meters wide, with a draft of one meter. This project aims to restore river transport as a sustainable option in the Cairo area, addressing traffic congestion and emissions. Transport Minister Kamel Al Wazir stated the Nile is seen as an integrated development corridor.

The initial plan called for three buses, but President El Sisi directed the expansion to five. The first vessel’s construction has begun with steel cutting, and further boats will follow in phases. While the project supports a broader strategy for green transport, challenges remain in fully integrating the river buses with existing Cairo infrastructure.