Hitachi Rail has signed a major contract to modernise and digitally upgrade the historic Alexandria Raml Tram, marking the first project of its kind in Egypt and a landmark step toward transforming one of the world’s oldest operating tramways. The agreement, awarded by the Hassan Allam Construction–Arab Contractors joint venture, is set to overhaul the entire system with advanced rail technologies that will sharply improve speed, capacity and service reliability across the coastal city.
The Raml Tram, which began operations in 1863, is the oldest tramline in the Middle East and Africa and one of the very few worldwide still operating double-deck tramcars. Despite limited upgrades since the 1960s, the line remains an essential part of Alexandria’s daily mobility. The new contract signals the beginning of a full, technology-driven revival aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy for sustainable urban transport.
Under the deal, Hitachi Rail will equip the line with cutting-edge signalling and communications systems, a state-of-the-art Operations Control Centre, SCADA technologies, CCTV and access-control networks, and new passenger information tools. Modern on-board equipment will also be installed across the fleet, enabling safer, faster and more efficient services for the millions who rely on the tram.
The wider modernisation programme includes reconstructing 24 stations and 13.2 km of track, resulting in dramatic improvements across key performance metrics. Travel times will fall from 60 minutes to 35, operational speeds will nearly double from 11 km/h to 21 km/h, and headways will be reduced from nine minutes to just three. Passenger capacity is expected to soar from 4,700 to 13,800 passengers per hour per direction, significantly easing congestion and cutting carbon emissions across Alexandria’s dense urban corridor.
The project also strengthens Hitachi Rail’s growing footprint in Egypt, where the company is already active in the Greater Cairo metro network, monorail and LRT systems, as well as advanced automated fare collection (AFC) programmes. In Alexandria, the forthcoming Abu Qir Metro will adopt Hitachi’s TRANSCITY™ multimodal payment system, enabling commuters to pay via QR codes, contactless cards, mobile wallets and EMV bank cards—reflecting a broader national shift toward smart mobility solutions.
Hitachi Rail has been accelerating its localisation efforts in Egypt, expanding local engineering, operational and financial teams while transferring specialised competencies such as CBTC validation and verification to local talent. “This contract will modernize and upgrade the oldest electric tram system in Africa, transforming it into a reliable, efficient and digitally enhanced transportation system,” said Carlo Piacenza, SRS MEA Regional Director at Hitachi Rail. “The project highlights the strength of Hitachi Rail’s technologies in revitalising legacy tramway networks.”
With construction now underway, the renewed Raml Tram is poised to become a central pillar of Alexandria’s integrated transport network—delivering faster journeys, cleaner mobility and an elevated passenger experience for one of Egypt’s most vibrant coastal cities.
