Egypt’s New Unified Public Transport Card Explained

A unified smart card system for public transportation is being developed to streamline passenger movement across Cairo’s expanding transit network. The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Transport, which aims to consolidate payments for metro lines, the monorail, the LRT, and multiple bus services, including networks operated by the Transport Authority, RATP Dev, Mwasalat Misr, and private companies included in the project. The new card will form part of an integrated fare system designed to simplify transfers between different modes of transport. An updated itinerary-planning application is also being prepared to help passengers navigate routes and connections more efficiently. The goal, according to project officials, is to eliminate the need for multiple tickets and make daily commuting more seamless. As part of the rollout, electronic gates and digital validation points are being installed across stations and vehicles. The Ministry of Transport has indicated that passengers will eventually be able to top up the card through kiosks, service points, and mobile payment channels once the system becomes fully operational. Work is also underway to link the unified card to national digital services, allowing users to check balances, track trips, and manage accounts through a centralised platform.