Egypt has publicly presented its first Siemens Velaro high-speed train, a key step in the creation of the country’s new electric high-speed rail network. The train was unveiled at TransMEA 2025 in New Cairo, one of the Middle East and Africa’s leading transport and logistics exhibitions, where it stood on outdoor display for visitors and officials.
The latest version of the Velaro platform supplied to Egypt is engineered for speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and has capacity for 489 passengers. Its design has been adapted specifically for desert operation, with reinforced protection against sand, heat and dust, including upgraded filtration systems and enhanced cooling equipment for both passengers and onboard electronics.
According to Siemens Mobility, the Velaro sets used in Egypt form part of a turnkey package that includes electrification, signaling and maintenance services for the new lines. The project aims to shift long-distance travel away from road and domestic air services toward a rail system designed to be faster, safer and more energy-efficient.
Desiro Regional Fleet Begins Trial Operations
Alongside the high-speed rollout, Egypt has started testing its new Desiro HC regional trains. A Desiro High-Capacity unit recently completed its first trial run on newly built tracks near the 6th of October Depot, west of Cairo. These trains are to operate on the network’s so-called Green Line, a 660-kilometer corridor linking Cairo, Ain Sokhna, Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh, often described as a “Suez Canal on rails” because it connects key Red Sea and Mediterranean hubs.
Each Desiro HC train can carry up to 849 passengers and is equipped with air conditioning, wheelchair access and ETCS Level 2 train protection systems. The units are designed for maximum speeds of 160 km/h, filling the role of regional and intercity services that complement the faster Velaro sets. In combination, the two fleets are intended to provide a consistent, electrified service pattern across major population centres and new urban developments along the corridors.
The unveiling and trial run were attended by senior figures including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir, Siemens AG President and CEO Roland Busch, and Siemens Mobility CEO Michael Peter. Their presence underlined how central the project has become to Egypt’s broader strategy for transport modernization and industrial development.
Building A 2,000-Kilometer National Network
Egypt’s high-speed rail initiative was officially launched in 2018 and ultimately foresees three lines with a combined length of around 2,000 kilometers, which would make it the sixth-largest high-speed network in the world once completed. The first line is planned to connect Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea with Marsa Matrouh and Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. A second line will run from 6th of October City near Cairo to Aswan and Abu Simbel in the south, while a third will link Qena, Hurghada and Safaga.
Taken together, the network is expected to serve nearly 90% of Egypt’s population through direct stations or connecting services, while also supporting freight flows along strategic industrial and logistics corridors. The government has stressed that faster, more reliable intercity links should reduce journey times, improve safety relative to crowded highways and create new opportunities for tourism and regional development.
Rolling stock for the programme includes 41 Velaro high-speed trains, 94 Desiro HC regional trains and 41 Vectron locomotives for mixed-traffic duties. Siemens Mobility has also signed a 15-year maintenance contract, covering the high-speed fleet and associated systems to ensure consistent performance in demanding desert conditions.
Modernization, Capacity And Economic Impact
The new high-speed rail system is positioned as a cornerstone of Egypt’s wider economic and environmental policy. By offering fast electric rail services on dedicated tracks, the network is designed to cut travel times by up to 50% on key routes compared with current options, according to project partners. It is also intended to reduce road congestion and associated carbon emissions, as more passengers shift from buses and private cars to rail.
In addition, the programme is expected to support thousands of jobs during construction and create long-term roles in operations, maintenance and local supply chains. The involvement of international suppliers such as Siemens is combined with efforts to build domestic expertise, including training for Egyptian engineers and technicians to operate and maintain the new technology over the life of the system.
For passengers, the combination of high-speed and regional trains promises more frequent services, upgraded stations and a modern on-board experience, with features such as air-conditioned carriages, digital passenger information and accessibility provisions. As the first Velaro and Desiro trains move from demonstration and testing into regular service, Egypt’s ambition to join the group of countries with large-scale high-speed rail networks is beginning to take tangible shape.
