Algeria Opens First Section of Metro Rail Line

Algeria has inaugurated the first section of a metro rail project in Algiers after starting construction on the project 28 years ago.

The section spans 9km, serving ten stations, and runs from Tafourah Grande Poste in the city centre to Haï el Badr. Algiers Metro Enterprise (EMA) expects the line to carry 300,000 passengers a day.

The metro rail project was built at a cost of AZD90bn ($1.2bn) and implemented by a consortium comprising of Siemens, Vinci Construction and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). Siemens was responsible for track installation, electrification and power supply, fare collection equipment, and the signalling and train control system.

Vinci carried out civil works, escalators, tunnel and station ventilation, the control centre and maintenance depot, while CAF delivered a fleet of 14 six-car trains. The French-based company RATP-El Djazaïr will operate the system. Algeria is planning to expand the metro network by adding two additional lines.