Egyptians suffer austerity squeeze as economy stabilises

While Egypt's economy is displaying the green shoots of recovery, citizens are enduring relentless price rises covering everything from water to metro tickets.

At Cairo's El Zahraa metro station, nestled among red-brick apartment blocs in a middle income neighbourhood, 46-year-old Omm Mohamed laments the government's economic overhaul.

“The burden has become too heavy, it has become unbearable," she said, dressed in a black full-length dress with her hair covered.

Standing alongside her teenage son, Mohamed said she was especially worried about her daughter who takes the metro to work at a private hospital.

"The rise in ticket prices has hit her especially, with her modest salary," she said.

On top of the metro fare, Mohamed's daughter is one of many Cairo residents who has to take tuk-tuks and microbuses to work. On May 11 a uniform two-pound ($0.11) metro ticket was replaced with fares ranging from three to seven pounds. Barely a year ago, fares cost just one pound.

The latest fare rises brought street protests last month, a rare occurence under President Abel Fattah al-Sisi who has been criticised for a crackdown on social dissent.

Around 30 people were arrested in the May protest, with some later freed.