Egyptians Stranded as Train Tickets Run Out for Eid Holidays

A shortage in train tickets for the upcoming Eid holidays has left many Egyptians stranded in Cairo. Although 30 extra trains were provided by the Egyptian railway authority for the Eid holiday, as soon as they posted the schedule, all tickets were sold out.

The shortage leaves travellers with no option but to resort to microbuses in order to travel and visit their families for the holiday season. And due to the high demand, microbus drivers tend increase their fare, taking advantage of the lack of options.  

The shortage of train tickets generally affects the governorates of Upper Egypt (Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea and New Valley), Ahram Online reported.

According to Egypt's Railway Authority spokesperson Nagwa Albert, the problem is not in the number of trains available, but Egypt’s rapid population growth, which has reached 89 million, representing an average increase of 0,21% each month: that means there are 188,000 new Egyptians each month.

The annual holiday beginning on Wednesday 23rd, is the largest celebration for Muslims around the world, as it comes during the Hajj season.