In Photos: Cairo rolls out tuk-tuk replacement with licensed quadricycles

CAIRO – 25 December 2025: Cairo has begun the first phase of a citywide plan to replace three-wheeled tuk-tuks with small, licensed quadricycle vehicles, Governor Ibrahim Saber said on Thursday.

The recently announced initiative encourages tuk-tuk drivers in Cairo to replace their three-wheeled vehicles with licensed quadricycles, as authorities move to modernise transport and curb street-level disorder.

In a statement by the governorate, Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber said the initiative, currently in the initial phase, offers a safe and street-legal alternative to tuk-tuks, while preserving drivers’ livelihoods.

 

The program will apply to the northern parts of the capital in the first phase and will be expanded across the governorate if it proves successful, the governor added.

Saber said the unregulated spread of unlicensed tuk-tuks, the challenge of identifying drivers and poor safety standards led the state to seek practical transport alternatives.

The first phase covers several densely populated districts, including Hadayek Al Qobba, Al Amiriyah, Al Zawya Al Hamra, Al Sharabiya, Al Sahel, Rod El Farag and Shubra.

Quadricycles operating in northern Cairo will be white, a colour chosen to distinguish the fleet.

The Qute quadricycle runs on natural gas and petrol and is priced at about LE 200,000 Egyptian pounds (around $4,200), with LE 10,000 pounds refundable upon issuance of the vehicle licence, the statement said.

 

Drivers will be able to pay in instalments through partner banks and financing firms.

The four-wheeled vehicle features an enclosed cabin, seat belts, internal fans and a roof rack for luggage, and drivers will be allowed to work with ride-hailing platforms, the governorate said.

What is the replacement vehicle?

The proposed alternative is the Qute quadricycle, produced by Indian manufacturer Bajaj Auto and locally assembled through a partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Military Production.

Key specifications, according to the manufacturer:

- 217cc DTSi engine producing 9.9 kW of power and 19.6 Nm of torque

- 3.5-meter turning radius, designed for dense traffic

- 191 liters of internal storage; up to 850 liters with folded seats

- 40% lower CO₂ emissions than other small cars

- Runs on natural gas and gasoline, lowering operating costs

- Seats the driver plus three passengers.

 

The Qute is marketed as a compact, more environmentally friendly urban vehicle that offers greater stability and safety compared with traditional tuk-tuks.

Is Cairo the first governorate to take this step?

No. Giza has already begun rolling out a similar replacement system across several districts, including Al-Haram, Agouza, 6th of October, and Hadayek October.

Giza officials say the locally produced vehicle meets residents’ needs for short-distance transport and provides drivers with a legal, more efficient alternative.

Participation in the program remains optional, not mandatory.

Why is the government doing this?

Tuk-tuks are already banned from operating on major roads, bridges, and key traffic corridors due to safety risks. Authorities say the new quadricycle system aims to:

- Improve road safety

- Reduce child-driven, unlicensed vehicles

- Ease congestion

- Offer drivers a formal, regulated alternative without harming their livelihoods

- Support a more “civilized” urban look for Cairo

 

What do drivers say?

Some early adopters have expressed satisfaction with the switch.

One Qute owner told Egypt Today he bought the vehicle immediately because of its advantages and more “urban” appearance, noting that its dual-fuel system makes it comparable to modern cars.