In recent days, inauguration ceremonies for new elevated monorail lines have taken place in two locations outside Europe. They serve different transport needs, the technical equipment comes from different manufacturers — and yet there are several similarities. More on this in detail below.
Opening of the Monorail in Cairo
On 20 March 2026, the first line of the new monorail in Cairo was officially inaugurated. The ceremony took place in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and marks a significant milestone for the country’s transport infrastructure. With this project, the government aims to ease the increasing traffic problems of the megacity while efficiently connecting the newly emerging administrative capital to the existing urban area.
The eastern line that has now entered service is 56.5 kilometres long and comprises 22 stations. It runs from the stadium area in eastern Cairo deep into the new capital. A second line in the west of the city is still under construction and, once completed, will expand the network to almost 100 kilometres. We last reported on the system here: https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/construction-progress-on-cairos-monorail-lines/ .
All routes are designed as elevated lines, allowing them to operate independently of road traffic and ensuring a high level of reliability.
The monorail is fully automated and uses modern signalling technology that enables driverless operation. With a maximum speed of around 80 km/h and a very high passenger capacity, it represents a powerful addition to the existing underground and bus network. Overall, the project is currently regarded as the largest monorail scheme with the longest route in the world, and as a key component of Egypt’s strategy to modernise public transport. Alstom, as Bombardier’s successor, is the system supplier.
Technical data of the vehicles (Cairo)
• Vehicle type: Alstom (formerly Bombardier) Innovia 300 Monorail
• Number: 70 trains (each with 4 cars)
• Operation: fully automated (driverless, CBTC system)
• Maximum speed: approx. 80 km/h
• Capacity: up to 45,000 passengers per hour per direction
Opening of Monorail Line 17 in São Paulo
On 31 March 2026, Monorail Line 17 (Linha 17–Ouro) in São Paulo was officially opened after years of delays. The project had originally been planned for completion in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but technical, financial and organisational challenges led to a significant delay.
The first phase that has now opened comprises a route of around 7.5 kilometres with eight stations. It connects key districts in the south of the metropolis and, in particular, provides a direct link to Congonhas Airport. In addition, there are interchanges with several existing metro and suburban rail lines, giving the new route an important role within the city’s integrated public transport system. For the time being, operations will be limited in hours in order to test vehicles and infrastructure under real operating conditions.
In the long term, the line is planned to be extended to nearly 18 kilometres with a total of 18 stations. As in Cairo, this is also a fully elevated monorail operating independently of road traffic. The line is fully automated and offers a modern, air-conditioned and accessible transport solution for urban travel – supplied by Chinese BYD Group.
In the south-east of Greater São Paulo, another monorail line (Line 15) has been in operation since 2014. It was technically equipped by Bombardier and has been extended several times since, although it is not connected to the new Line 17.
Technical data of the vehicles (São Paulo Line 17)
• Vehicle type: BYD SkyRail
• Number: 14 trains
• Train length: 5 cars per train
• Capacity: approx. 600 passengers per train
• Automation: GoA4 (fully automated, driverless)
• Power supply: 750 V DC (third rail + batteries)
• Maximum speed: approx. 80 km/h
Comparison
Both projects highlight the growing importance of modern monorail systems in urban transport. While Cairo is developing a large-scale, high-capacity network intended to provide structural relief for the entire metropolitan region, São Paulo’s project is more of a targeted addition to the existing network, focusing on specific connections such as airport access.
What both systems have in common is the use of automated operation and elevated track structures, enabling high efficiency and independence from road traffic. Developments in both cities—as well as in various other locations around the world—indicate that monorails are increasingly being regarded as a flexible and future-oriented solution to the transport challenges of growing megacities.
