280218_Luxor-Egypt SECAP Final_revised

5.1.2 Clear transportation on the west bank
1. General presentation
Al-Qurna – Priority action # 2 for SECAP
Title: CLEAR TRANSPORTATION ON THE WEST BANK
Summary of the Action
For Tourists: The west bank is rich with heritage sites and tourist visits, i.e., Valley of the
Kings and Queen Hatshepsut Temple, Memnon Colossi and its surroundings, and Habu
Temples. All visiting tourists arrive in busses, microbuses or coasters with an average peak
visit of 400 vehicles (of all types of vehicles during the very high seasons before 2011 for
the whole day). The problem lies with the awaiting vehicles outside heritage sites. The
vibration and emissions produced by the vehicles (operating air conditioner) hold danger
to the heritage sites and monuments, as well as increase pollution.
The proposed project suggests 2 parking lots (to be divided into 4 stages), locations to be
decided. The parking will be designed with waiting areas for drivers to serve as a safe spot
for parking, hence protecting the site and decreasing emissions.
PS. Only the first phase of the parking lot will be implemented, 25% of the full peak
capacity. The rest will be developed later, after regaining the pre-2011 level of tourism
attraction.
Programme
- Four Parking spaces for 25 buses, 20 coasters, 7 microbuses (incremental phases).
- Building (95 m 2 ) including: control point, WC, large waiting hall taking up to 40-50
persons equipped with tables and seats and 2 TV panels, small buffet, and a small
Storage
Control point and waiting area – 60 m 2
Storage – 15 m 2
Toilets – 10 m 2 x2
- PV sheds – Capacity of 20 kW (partial, to be extended). It can be a station that could
serve other proposed projects indicated in the Tourist Information Centre and the
electric readjustment projects (project fiches 1 & 3).
- Vegetation for boundaries, if away from the archaeological sites. Vegetation should
not shade PV sheds.
For Residents: The available microbuses’ routes are limited, while there are no other
means of public transportation. Hence, the inhabitants of the Bo’irat village close and
around Habo temples aren't served. Therefore, they count on motorcycles, about 100 of
them. Therefore, it is recommended to introduce public transportation, using for example
2 large buses with natural gas engines. Nevertheless, this might not be feasible because of
two reasons:
a. The low number of inhabitants might cause these buses to move half empty.
b. The already existing microbuses represent an income for many families in the local
community.
The project proposes the conversion of all the microbuses’ engines on the West Bank,
from diesel and gasoline into natural gas. The first Phase focuses on 4 microbuses, while
the next phases will be for the rest (16 microbuses).
General Objectives of the project
# 2
Location: Al-Qurna Village
Start date: 2017
Project lifetime: 6 months
End date: 2018
Estimated cost €
125,000
Status of the Action:
23