Egypt's metro officials demand fare hike amid government reluctance

Egypt's metro officials have renewed calls for a higher ticket price amid substantial losses the vital mode of transport has been suffering and government hesitation.

While the country's subway has provided a cheap means of transport for millions of average Egyptians for some ten years without a fare increase, demands by metro officials have been rising in recent weeks to push the price of the LE1 ticket up to twofold.

The facility's losses across its three lines and 64 stations have amounted to LE180 million (around $25 million) in the fiscal year 2014/2015.

Revenues stemming from the low ticket price are no match for the enormous expenses for power, routine maintenance and security, said the chief of the metro operator.

The metro's third line, which is the shortest and most recently inaugurated, has incurred a monthly deficit of LE4 million ($570,000) alone, Ali Fadaly, head of the Egyptian Co. for Metro Management and Operation (ECMMO) told Ahram Online.