Last Night’s Talk Shows: Pundits react to record export revenues, transport minister talks train tix, light rail
Leading coverage on the nation’s talk shows last night: last year’s record export revenues. The announcement by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly on Sunday that Egypt’s export revenues reached a record high of USD 31 bn in 2021 earned attention from most of the talking heads last night. El Hekaya (watch, runtime: 2:56), Masaa DMC (watch, runtime: 1:04) and Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 5:35) all had coverage.
Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir phoned in to Ala Mas’ouleety for an extended interview with show host Ahmed Moussa to provide updates on some of the government's transport projects (watch, runtime: 1:16:15). Here are the highlights:
Train ticket prices rising? The ministry is considering hiking train fares and is currently holding public consultations on the matter, El Wazir said (watch, runtime: 5:52). The minister didn’t disclose how much ticket prices could rise, but said that any changes may not be introduced until the new fiscal year, which starts on 1 July.
Light rail to open in the next six months: The light rail line connecting Salam City to 10th of Ramadan via the new capital will open to the public by the end of 2Q2022, El Wazir said. Construction work on the stations has been completed and trial operations have begun, he said. The line was originally expected to be operational this month.