The shiny, brand new yellow and green double decker bus arrived at the Seventh District bus stop in Nasr City at noon. I had been waiting 10 minutes. Boarding, I bought my LE5 ticket — it is one price for all stops on the route, in this case from Hadayek Al-Kobba to the American University in Cairo in New Cairo from the friendly bus conductor. “I think the air conditioning is not on high enough,” said one passenger who took the bus from the same station. The conductor told him to wait a few minutes and he would feel its effect. He had spoken immediately after boarding. The lower deck has around 20 comfortable seats, still wrapped in transparent plastic. The windows can be opened at the top to let in fresh air when needed. To the left of the driver is a small screen connected to a camera on the upper deck and a microphone to allow announcements to be made. There are two sets of stairs, one immediately behind the driver, the second opposite the passenger door in the middle of the bus. There are also screens on each floor to tell passengers where the bus will be stopping. Ascend the stairs to the second floor, which has 50 seats, and it is impossible not to feel like a tourist. The windows are large, and sitting on the front row of seats makes you feel like you are driving the bus. Passengers can also listen to music and news from the radio and enjoy the bus's WIFI service. Twelve double deckers, which cost LE28 million, are now in service, says the head of the Cairo Transport Authority Movement Sector Salah Mohamed. By the end of the year 40 will be working. Currently they service two routes, both from the eastern side of Cairo to New Cairo, and have already proved popular among commuters. Noha, a dentistry student at one of the universities in New Cairo, is more than happy with the new bus. “It is enough the bus is air conditioned,” she says, adding that she actively enjoys her daily commute despite the roundabout routes the buses are forced to take to avoid low bridges and tunnels. Ten minutes after the bus reaches the end of the line it makes the return journey during which one student comments on how many pedestrians stare at the double decker. That it is an object of interest was confirmed when a number of families boarded. They were riding the bus, they said, by way of a family outing. “The buses are well equipped and it was a very nice experience,” said Iman Maher, a manager at a company in New Cairo, upon disembarking. Leaving the bus to take another connection to my final destination was a let down. Unfortunately there isn't a double decker for every route. The governorate of Cairo and the Cairo Transport Authority began to roll out the double decker bus service in Cairo this month to help reduce traffic congestion and offer decent, comfortable public transport.
