'Dilemma': Egypt could see increases in train, metro fares from August

Egypt’s transportation minister announced on Monday a new increase in train fares as of next month, angering locals already struggling under worsening socioeconomic conditions in the country.

"We are in a predicament," Minister Kamel al-Wazir said in a television interview, adding that the decision still needed parliament approval.

He said his ministry owed banks 88 billion Egyptian pounds ($4,641,546,008) and about 5 billion pounds ($263,721,425) to the Ministry of Petroleum.

As of 1 August, metro fares will see an increase of 1 Egyptian pound he explained, adding that even if train ticket prices were to increase by 2, 3 or even 5 pounds, they would still be cheaper than minibuses.

But this increase, if it were to be approved, would still not cover annual costs which is more than double the money generated by the ministry.

Bread, freedom, social justice': Analysing Egypt's economic crisis https://t.co/CE9NPTCUYp

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) April 30, 2022

Al-Wazir said the ministry of transport generates revenues of 4.2 billion pounds a year, while its expenditures are estimated at 10 billion pounds.

He sounded caution that the Railways Authority suffered from overcrowding, while railways have not seen any improvements since 1952.

Egypt has a very poor rail safety record, and the country has seen an alarming series of deadly train accidents in recent years.

The move is expected to exacerbate economic pressures on the country’s poor and the middle class which have been hit hard in recent years by austerity.

Egyptians took to social media to complain about the hike, with some saying they simply will not be able to afford it.

أنا بجد مش هقدر استحمل زيادة اسعار تذاكر المترو.

مش عشان أنا فقيرة معدمة بالضرورة، لا عشان بجد كفاية. مش قادرة والله.

— 💕Bebeto💕 👶🏻🔫👶🏼🔫👶🏽🔫👶🏾🔫👶🏿🔫👶🔫 (@Haya_Hatem) July 25, 2022

رفع سعر تذاكر المترو والقطارات اضافة الى ارتفاع اسعار السلع والخدمات ضرب بعرض الحائط لمصلحة المواطن البسيط المطلوب منة العمل فقط لتسديد قيمة قروض الدولة العسكرية الغبية

— راجى عفو الله (@EmaarW) July 25, 2022

نفخات مع النفحات..
زيادة البنزين هدية عيد الاضحى المبارك،
ثم زيادة اسعار تذاكر المترو والقطارات بمناسبة العام الهجري الجديد 1444،
وربنا يستر على عاشوراء!!
تحيا مصر 🇪🇬
ابتسم إنه : #الصب_فى_المصلحة

— دكتور مصطفى جاويش (@drmgaweesh) July 25, 2022

The announcement comes less than two weeks after the price of widely used diesel and other fuels saw an increase, amid rising staple food prices and other basic goods.

The country, like others, faces steep inflationary pressures in the wake of Russia's war on Ukraine, which has especially affected Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer.

Cairo has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for more financial aid.