Egypt’s metro system is one of the oldest in the Middle East and Africa and is one of the country’s most-used and affordable means of public transport. According to a report, Cairo’s metro transports around three million people every day.
In light of International Day of Older Persons of which was celebrated last week, The Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Ministry of Transport have agreed to provide free public transport for those over 70 years of age, including tickets for the Egyptian railway, buses and the metro.
In August, authorities increased the price of metro tickets in the capital Cairo. This price increase was justified by the fact that the revenue of the metro, used widely daily, is 4 billion Egyptian pounds (about US$254 million), while its operating costs are 8 billion Egyptian pounds.
However, the ministry further announced that it will also increase the monthly pensions in its Dignity Programme by 100 Egyptian pounds for October. The group said they were exploring ways in which it can better serve Egypt’s most vulnerable populations.
Minister of Social Solidarity, Nevine al-Kabbaj added that passengers over the age of 60 will receive a 50% discount on all transport fees.
