CAIRO: In an effort to improve the underground metro ticketing system, the Ministry of Transportation is planning to issue new smart cards in more than 20 different metro stations around Egypt to facilitate the system for passengers. The plan, according to head of the Egyptian Metro Services Company Mohammed Sheimy, is set to cost around LE 45 million. Public Relations manager at the Ministry of Transportation, Ahmed Mahmoud, said, “These smart cards will facilitate the process for the Egyptian citizen to move more freely inside the different underground metro stations all over Egypt.” There is no set timetable for the proposed plan to be fully implemented, according to Mahmoud. The smart cards are meant to replace the more hectic — and sometimes lengthy — process of purchasing tickets from the various ticket booths at the stations. The smart cards resemble prepaid cards used to charge cell-phones. The only difference, however, lies in the technology. Much like most train station systems in Europe, the smart cards will be used through a laser-touch technique. Unlike the problems with regular tickets, passengers will no longer have to worry about losing their smart cards. These cards have a special identification code printed on the back that matches a unique PIN code created by the card holder. Upon entering any metro station, card holders will swipe their cards through a special machine using laser-technology as well as enter their own unique PIN code to take the train. Hesham Amr, a daily user of the underground metro station from Shoubra El-Kheima to Dokki districts in Cairo, said, “It'll be such a great thing if this smart card idea is implemented in our metro stations. It's going to help us because it's a safer and easier way to use this public transportation.” Asmaa Abbas, a student at Ain Shams University, said that taking the metro sometimes can be the worst part of her day. “Huge queues are lined up every single hour of the day near the station. Often, I am forced to miss several trains and miss out on important appointments. If these smart cards are issued, it'll be heaven,” Abbas said.
