A multi-billion dollar contract which will see Derby train-maker Bombardier build hundreds of carriages for a new monorail system in Egypt has been signed.

In May, a consortium, led by Bombardier, was named by the Egyptian government as the preferred bidder to design and build two new monorail lines in Cairo – and supply rolling stock.

Now, the consortium, which also consists of Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors, has been officially declared the winner of the contract – subject to final signatures and supplementary documents.

The overall value of the deal is more than $4.5 billion. Bombardier’s share amounts to $2.85 billion.

It will see the firm design, supply and install the electrical and mechanical equipment for the two lines, while the firm’s Derby factory will supply 70 four-carriage Innovia Monorail 300 trains.

The Innovia Monorail 300 system has been operating in Sao Paulo, Brazil, since 2014 and is currently under construction in Bangkok, Thailand and Wuhu, China.

The contract is a welcome boost for Bombardier’s Derby site, which is looking for new work to fill its order book after 2021 .

Danny Di Perna, president of Bombardier Transportation, said: “To be selected as the monorail system supplier in Egypt is a great privilege and our fully-automated monorail system is the smart mobility solution for Cairo’s urban future.

Our Innovia Monorail 300 technology has proved to be a game changer in the industry, as it allows fast construction of high capacity transit lines at lower costs.

“With its advanced technology, unmatched safety features and attractive aerodynamic design, this proven platform will dramatically improve the quality of life for millions of residents by significantly reducing their daily commuting time, as well as reducing traffic congestion and its impact on the city.”

The new monorial system aims to provide fast, sustainable, comfortable and safe transportation for millions of people every year in the Cairo metropolitan area.

The first monorail line will extend 54km from East Cairo to the New Administrative Capital. The second line will be 42km long to connect 6th October City to Giza.

The two lines will be able to transport around 45,000 passenger per hour in each direction when ultimate capacity is reached.