CAIRO, Jan. 24 (Aswat Masriya) – Smart cards issued by the Metro station reaped revenues of EGP 1 million over a month, an official from the Egyptian Company for Metro Management and Operation (ECMMO) said on Sunday.

According to the Deputy Director of the aforementioned company Khaled Sabra, 71,000 smart cards were sold over a month, with proceeds amounting to EGP 1 million, including subscription and charging fees.

Smart cards are sold and charged at the Metro stations. Each card stands at a value of EGP 10 and is chargeable by an amount of EGP 10-100. The card is valid for a duration of 5 years.

There has been high demand on the smart cards from Metro commuters in Egypt, according to the ECMMO's Director Ali Al-Fadaly. The card should make it easier for family members to access the subway and exempts its users from waiting in line at the ticket outlets at the station.

The metro authorities introduced the new system of smart cards in mid-December, allowing passengers to charge their cards instead of buying individual tickets, which in turn reduces ticket queues.

Egypt began constructing the metro in 1982, launching it in 1987. Today, the metro operates in Greater Cairo in three lines. It has recently been expanded, amid plans for further expansions.

In December, news circulated about a possible increase in the metro ticket price above its current value of EGP 1.

A series of statements by the Minister of Transport Saad al-Gioushy indicated that a potential increase in ticket prices could take place for the third metro line and other future lines planned for construction. However, al-Gioushi stated that the elected parliament is the entity to decide on the issue of the metro ticket pricing.