Egypt's cargo rail services were partially restored on Monday after a month of stoppage. However, passenger services remain suspended, a railway spokesperson said. The Egyptian Railway Authority (ERA) received security clearance from the Ministry of Interior and the Armed Forces, hence the partial restoration, Nagwa Albair - ERA spokeswoman, told Ahram Online. The interim Egyptian cabinet has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday to discuss re-starting passenger train services, according to Albair. The Ministry of Interior suspended long distance train journeys on 14 August after security forces moved to clear two Islamist-led protest camps in Cairo. This triggered a nationwide wave of violence that claimed the lives of over 900, including some 100 police officers. As a precautionary measure, every cargo train driver will be accompanied with at least one member of security personnel, Albair added. Trains transporting petroleum will not be allowed to re-commence movement, as they are allegedly more likely to be targeted than those carrying grain or building materials. Albair denied that the suspension of trains is to prevent supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi from travelling to Cairo to participate in protests against his ouster. "This is not true, especially as local trains are still in action." Passenger trains between governorates in the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt are still operational. However, major lines - between Cairo and Alexandria, and Cairo and Aswan - are suspended. Around 500 million passengers annually travel by train in Egypt, according to the ERA's official website. Albair said the train stoppage has cost ERA a loss of around LE 4 million daily in ticket sales, and LE 500,000 in cargo transportation fees. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/81815.aspx
