Egypt will increase the price of metro tickets from LE1 to a minimum of LE1.5, according to cabinet spokesperson Hossam Qawish, although he said no timetable has been set for the price rise.
In a phone call to a talk-show on MBC Masr channel, Qawish said that prices will not be increased for students, the elderly and the disabled.
He indicated two proposals under consideration: an overall increase, regardless of the distance traveled; or price rises based on the number of stations in a journey.
He stressed that the government is keen on pumping more investment into the transportation sector.
His comments were echoed on Wednesday by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, who said in a press conference that the government is committed to raising metro ticket prices.
"The government cannot continue to offer the metro service at the same price," he told journalists.
