The merits of railways are being revisited around the world as a means of public transportation with a lower environmental impact than automobiles and planes.
In countries with underdeveloped infrastructure in particular, demand for railways as a means of city transportation is increasing due to the air pollution and economic losses that stem from chronic traffic congestion.
MC is responding to the needs of these countries through its railways and other transport systems businesses. Enhanced transportation infrastructure naturally raises convenience for locals; but it also contributes to the advancement of regional communities, alleviating traffic congestion, easing environmental problems and creating jobs, among other benefits.
Activities in Cairo, Egypt
MC's railway business activities began with the delivery of Japanese-made steam locomotives to India in 1955. Today, MC supplies railcars and equipment, and constructs, operates and maintains complete railway systems overseas, fulfilling the roles and offering the functions demanded of railway management. Railway projects span many years and cost enormous sums of money. Through its involvement, MC is helping to bring these major undertakings to fruition.
MC's activities in Egypt began in 1962 when it delivered street cars to the Heliopolis development company. Since then, we have continued trading activities, delivering more than 1,400 railcars thus far to railway operators in Egypt. The Cairo Metro subway stands out as one of the most noteworthy projects. Opened in 1987, it is the African continent's only subway line. Comprising 2 lines today that stretch for 65 kilometers in total, the Cairo Metro subway has become a main arterial line, carrying some 2.5 million passengers per day. It is now so interwoven with the lives of Cairo residents that it is regarded as one of Egypt's foremost public works projects, even to the extent that it has been referred to as the "Fourth Pyramid" after the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis.
Helping Egypt to Make Railcars
MC delivered 60 Japanese-made railway cars to the Cairo Metro subway in 1993. Robust and dependable, Japanesemade railcars have earned a worldwide reputation. Cairo Metro Organization, the operator of the railway at the time, requested railcars that were made with regional characteristics in mind such as in terms of weather, climate and national character. MC met those demands, supplying new railcars with the cooperation of Japanese manufacturers.
The government of Egypt views railways as an important national industry and is channeling efforts into the domestic production of railcars. For this reason, some of the railcars MC delivered are being assembled in Egypt by a local rolling stock manufacturer under the technical supervision of Japanese manufacturers. Furthermore, Cairo Metro Line 3, which will link Cairo with Cairo International Airport, is proceeding toward a scheduled opening date in 2011 with technical cooperation involving the transfer of Japan's railcar manufacturing technologies to Egyptian manufacturers. As the coordinator for this project, MC is thus helping Egypt in its efforts to produce railcars domestically.
For Local Communities
A Japanese-made railcar is unloaded at the Port of Alexandria, Egypt.
Cairo Metro subway railcars are designed with Cairo's weather and regional characteristics in mind, so as to facilitate maintenance, when sand or dust gets into precision equipment.
Dubai Metro
When railways are built, it is common practice for construction to go ahead only after an environmental survey is conducted and the fulfillment of conditions such as compliance with country laws and regulations is confirmed. To achieve even greater transparency, dialogue is held with environmental groups and public comment is also solicited.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai Metro is scheduled to begin first-stage operations in 2009. The Dubai Metro is the world's longest fully automated railway with 76 kilometers of track. MC is participating in this project as a member of a five-company consortium. In addition to supplying rolling stock, signaling equipment, communications and station facilities, this project also involves civil engineering and construction work necessary to build elevated tracks, tunnels and stations. The consortium will also maintain the railway system under contract for three years after it opens. The Dubai Metro has already created many jobs, with some 30,000 people working on the project, and completion of this transport system in a highly motorized society like Dubai is expected to ease congestion that can choke economic growth. For these reasons, the project has considerable social significance and is highly anticipated by locals.
Amid the worldwide reassessment of railways as an environmentally friendly means of transport, a CDM*1 application has been approved for the construction of a railway in India. "The opening of a railway can change people's lives and lifestyles. We're convinced of that and it's for that reason that we are developing our transport system business in Egypt and other places," says Takeo Kato, Transportation Systems Unit, Ship Aerospace & Transportation Systems Division, Machinery Group.
*1 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the Kyoto Mechanisms incorporated in the Kyoto Protocol for creating emission credits. Projects carried out by industrialized countries that reduce emissions in developing countries earn credits issued according to the volume of reductions.
MTR Corporation (Hong Kong)
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (India)
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation
(Taiwan)
The copyright is preserved and licensed by Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation
- Feature 1 "MC's Businesses From a Sustainability Standpoint"
