Egypt's river taxis get government backing

The government of Egypt is working together with private taxi companies operating on river Nile to encourage more Egyptians to use Cairo’s waterways.

While commissioning the taxi project, the chairman of Egypt’s River Transport Authority said the initiative was vital in relieving the acute traffic congestion plaguing the city.

The boats are equipped with life jackets and modern technology including GPS tracking devices that can be monitored from a control centre.

Though the private taxi companies have been operating independently, the government has now given them the necessary attention and aims to develop seven main river stops around the city.

For Cairo’s residents who commute to work every day, a reliable and regular river taxi service could offer a much needed break from the capital’s notoriously chaotic roads.