Road trains in the Valley of the Kings
Convoys
The main way of travelling between cities and resorts for many years was by coach in high speed convoys controlled by the Tourist Police.
They operated at fixed departure times to fixed destinations, rather like National Express, but with armed gentlemen en route, and toilet halts attended by camels and goats...
The toilets were always spotless, the camels calm, and the snacks good.
But the routes were not without incident.
On the Red Sea route from Luxor to Hurghada there were coach wrecks, including burned out double deckers....
They operated at fixed departure times to fixed destinations, rather like National Express, but with armed gentlemen en route, and toilet halts attended by camels and goats...
The toilets were always spotless, the camels calm, and the snacks good.
But the routes were not without incident.
On the Red Sea route from Luxor to Hurghada there were coach wrecks, including burned out double deckers....
Egypt 2001 - 2003
Egyptian coaches
Most of the coaches in Upper Egypt are extremely modern. In the past three years, MCV - an Egyptian trailer maker - has taken a stranglehold on the local operations, providing the 400 or 500 body for the Mercedes Benz 0400 running units.
This is in marked contrast with a few years ago when there were quite a few Setras imported secondhand from Germany, and an older fleet of Scania K112s with Ghabbour bodies, using Duple Metsec underframes. Few non-standard vehicles now remain, however.
This is in marked contrast with a few years ago when there were quite a few Setras imported secondhand from Germany, and an older fleet of Scania K112s with Ghabbour bodies, using Duple Metsec underframes. Few non-standard vehicles now remain, however.
El Gouna local transport
There are six minibuses that operate a punishing 19-hour a day, seven-day-a-week service between El Gouna (Downtown Bus Station) and the main hotels and attractions. Journeys operate for a maximum of 11 minutes, and all vehicles try to provide an interchange at Downtown.
Tickets can be purchased for a day's unlimited travel (5 EP) or for a week's use (10 EP). They are on sale at the bus or at the hotel, information centre or some shops.
They are also valid for the local boats that link some of the parts of the complex, but not for the Tok-Toks, three-seater, three-wheelers that operate with the speed of something moist sliding off a shovel .....
Buses are accessed from the nearside, which is mainly open. Seating is wooden, just like the suspension on the packed sand roads. The offside windows have been forcibly removed in some places as the result of damage. Other damages windows (all made of thick plastic) have shattered, but remain in "as broken" condition. One dreads to think what the British Traffic Commissioners would make of them.
Vehicles are unregistered, but can be identified from each other by a paper sticker in the rear window which reads "Bus 1" etc.
The buses were new in 2000.
#1/2 Isuzu NPR 66L/Hashim Beach Bus HB-207 BB OB28D
#3 - #6 Isuzu NPR 66L/Hashim Beach Bus HB-207 BB OB23D
Tickets can be purchased for a day's unlimited travel (5 EP) or for a week's use (10 EP). They are on sale at the bus or at the hotel, information centre or some shops.
They are also valid for the local boats that link some of the parts of the complex, but not for the Tok-Toks, three-seater, three-wheelers that operate with the speed of something moist sliding off a shovel .....
Buses are accessed from the nearside, which is mainly open. Seating is wooden, just like the suspension on the packed sand roads. The offside windows have been forcibly removed in some places as the result of damage. Other damages windows (all made of thick plastic) have shattered, but remain in "as broken" condition. One dreads to think what the British Traffic Commissioners would make of them.
Vehicles are unregistered, but can be identified from each other by a paper sticker in the rear window which reads "Bus 1" etc.
The buses were new in 2000.
#1/2 Isuzu NPR 66L/Hashim Beach Bus HB-207 BB OB28D
#3 - #6 Isuzu NPR 66L/Hashim Beach Bus HB-207 BB OB23D
Local buses
Local buses in most towns in Upper Egypt are provided by 2.5 litre diesel-powered vans with locally-built bodies.
Standard fittings are parallel rows of seats on each side of the body, push-bell calls to the driver to stop (supplemented by a shout), and grab rails at the rear for tose who want to hang on the rear platform.
British ministry inspectors would have kittens.....!
Standard fittings are parallel rows of seats on each side of the body, push-bell calls to the driver to stop (supplemented by a shout), and grab rails at the rear for tose who want to hang on the rear platform.
British ministry inspectors would have kittens.....!
Minibuses
Japanese manufacturers have taken over the minibus and minicoach scene in Upper Egypt. Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai dominate a handful of Mercedes Benz/MCV 260, and the local manufacturer, Hashim Bus and Ghabbour (the main bodymaker).