Rare display of public anger erupts as Cairo hikes metro fares by 300%

Dozens of Egyptians have protested at Cairo metro stations in a rare display of public discontent as the government tightens spending and pushes austerity measures, according to posts on social media.

The government raised the price of tickets on Cairo’s loss-making metro on Friday, more than tripling some fares and setting off a wave of angry reaction on social media.

Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces at Maadi station and at least two people were arrested on Saturday, a Reuters witness said.

Some posts showed people demanding the government rescind the decision, with some jumping over ticket barriers, apparently refusing to pay the new fares.

“We will not move, we will not move,” a small crowd chanted at Dar el-Salam station in south Cairo as policemen looked on.

Interior Ministry and metro officials could not be reached for comment. It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the recordings.

مش هنمشي.. مظاهرات غضب بمحطة مترو حلوان بالقاهرة احتجاجا على رفع أسعار تذاكر المترو pic.twitter.com/4bm8dVlJXD

— Amr Elqazaz (@amrsalama) May 12, 2018

Even small protests have been rare in Egypt since the army ousted President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. A law passed in 2013 forbids demonstrations not approved by the Interior Ministry.

The fare rises came as Egypt pushes ahead with tough reforms tied to a $12 billion International Monetary Fund agreement that have included energy subsidy cuts and tax hikes and are aimed at boosting growth.

The metro system has accumulated losses of 618 million pounds ($34 million), state news agency MENA reported.

The government angered Cairo residents, already hit by a sharp rise in living costs, when it doubled the price of metro tickets last year for millions of commuters.

يابلد مافيهاش راجل .. صراخ سيدة من محطة مترو حلوان ضد رفع اسعار تذكرة المترو pic.twitter.com/aUwhRgGh1X

— Amr Elqazaz (@amrsalama) May 12, 2018