{{Short description|Tram network serving Algiers, Algeria since 2011}} {{Infobox Public transit | name = Algiers tramway | image = Tramway-algiers.svg | imagesize = 100px | image2 = Tramway d'Alger.jpg | imagesize2 = 250px | caption2 = | native_name = ترامواي الجزائر | locale = Algiers, Algeria | transit_type = Tram | lines = 1 | stations = 38 | ridership = | began_operation = 8 May 2011 | operator = {{ill|SETRAM|fr|Société d'exploitation des tramways}} | system_length = {{convert|23.2|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} | stock = 48 Alstom Citadis | track_gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}} | map = 250px | owner = {{ill|Entreprise Métro d'Alger|fr}} (EMA) | website = https://setram.dz/nos-reseaux/ALG }}
The '''Algiers tramway''' ({{langx|ar|ترامواي الجزائر|4=Algiers Tramway|engvar=Tramwāy al-Jazā'ir}}) is a tram system serving Algiers, the capital and largest city of Algeria. Opened in 2011, the network is operated by the {{ill|Société d'exploitation des tramways|fr}} (SETRAM) and owned by the {{ill|Entreprise Métro d'Alger|fr}} (EMA). The {{Convert|23|km|mi|abbr=on}} long network consists of one line, and serves 38 stations.
Although Algiers had a network of electric trams from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, the current network mostly runs on a different route and alignment to that of the original lines. Planning for the new tramway started in 2002,<ref name=":5" /> with construction being started in early 2007. The network opened on 8 May 2011,<ref name=":12" /> and was subsequently extended three times: in 2012,<ref name=":13" /> 2014,<ref name=":14" /> and 2015.<ref name=":15" />
==History==
=== Original network (1898-1959) === As the capital of Algeria, Algiers has historically had some of the best transport infrastructure in the country. During the course of France's colonisation of Algeria, Algiers possessed a large tram network which lasted from the end of the 19th century until just before Algeria's independence.
From 1898, three different companies operated trams in and around the city on their own independent networks, without any integration with each other, however with the same technical characteristics: a track gauge of {{ill|1055 mm|fr|Écartement de 1 055 mm en Algérie}}, and a 600 V DC electrification system.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Les chemins de fer à voie de 1,055 mètre en Algérie, le réseau vapeur, tramways électriques, alger-roi.net |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/chemin_fer/voie_metrique/chapitre2_tram_electrique.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr|language=fr}}</ref> ==== CFRA network ==== thumb|CFRA trams at the Place du Gouvernement in the early 1900s.The largest network was that of the {{ill|Chemins de fer sur routes d'Algérie|fr}}, or the CFRA. Starting in 1898, the company decided to electrify the central part of its steam-hauled local and interurban rail network for around {{Convert|17|km|mi}} from Maison-Carrée (now El Harrach) to Deux-Moulins in the area of Saint-Eugene (now Bologhine) via the city centre and the Place du Gouvernement (now the {{ill|Place des Martyrs (Algiers)|lt=Place des Martyrs|ar|ساحة الشهداء (الجزائر)|fr|Place des Martyrs (Alger)}}).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Les chemins de fer algeriens de l'etat;http://alger-roi.fr |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/chemin_fer/textes/2_chemin_de_fer_sur_route_algeriens_afn67.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr|language=fr}}</ref> While doing this, the company also rerouted the steam-hauled line to run via Algiers' coastal boulevards instead of on inner-city streets, with the new route paralleling the standard-gauge intercity mainline out of Algiers station and running north under Bab-el-Oued in a tunnel until it met with the electric tramline at its terminus in Deux-Moulins.<ref name=":1" /> The second electrified line of the network, which branched off of the first line at the Champ de Manœuvres and ran for {{Convert|6|km|mi}} south to Kouba via Ruisseau and Belcourt (now Hussein Dey), opened in 1905,<ref name=":1" /> bringing the total length of the CFRA network to its all-time high of {{Convert|23|km|mi}}.<ref name=":0" />
By the end of the Second World War, however, the network was falling out of favour with many local residents, who saw the trams as a detriment to car traffic. As a result, several tram lines were closed and subsequently replaced with trolleybuses, with the Ruisseau-Kouba part of the Champ de Manœuvres-Kouba line being the first to be closed in 1945.<ref name=":0" /> The last trams ran on the CFRA network from Nelson (near Bab-el-Oued) to Ruisseau on May 21, 1957.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Les transports urbains d'Alger, les chemins de fer sur route;http://alger-roi.fr |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/monographie/textes/cfra.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr|language=fr}}</ref>
==== TMS network ==== The second network of trams was operated by the {{ill|Tramways et Messageries du Sahel|fr|Tramways et Messageries du Sahel}}, or the TMS. The TMS operated a single {{Convert|6.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} long line which started at the Place du Gouvernement in the city centre and ran east to Ben Aknoun via El Biar and Châteauneuf, and opened in 1904.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=transports à et autour d'Alger,CFRA,tms,ta,rdta;http://alger-roi.fr |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/arrivetz/pages_liees/texte3_transports_pn25.htm#tms |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr|language=fr}}</ref> The line encountered grades exceeding 60% and had an extremely windy route with several hairpin bends.<ref name=":3" /> Although the line enjoyed relative popularity when it opened, in 1935 a bus service was launched from the city centre to El Biar on a longer, but less steep, route that quickly began to attract passengers from the TMS tramline.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> As a result, the TMS was in disarray and was bought out by the departmental authorities of Algiers, who later entrusted ownership of the tramway to the CFRA in January 1937.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transports en commun,tms, |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/tms/tms.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr|language=fr}}</ref> The line was fully closed and replaced by trolleybuses in 1939.<ref name=":2" />
==== TA network ==== thumb|A pre-World War 1 postcard of TA trams on the Bab-el-Oued avenue. The third network was operated by the {{ill|Société des tramways algériens|fr}} (TA), a company which was a subsidiary of the Thomson-Houston enterprise that also operated several tram networks in mainland France. The TA network consisted of one line with two branches that ran between the Hôpital du Dey, in Bab-el-Oued, south to Yusuf via the Place du Gouvernement. At Yusuf, the network branched off with a line running east to the Colonne Voirol and another running west to the Boulevard Bru. The network, in its totality, measured {{Convert|14|km|mi}} in length.<ref name=":0" /> The first section of the line, from the Hôpital du Dey to the Colonne Voirol, was put into service on April 14, 1898, while the branch to the Boulevard Bru began regular service in 1900.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=le réseau des tramways algériens,martin;http://alger-roi.fr |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/monographie/textes/ta.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr|language=fr}}</ref> By the start of the Second World War, the TA had become one of the most modern tram systems in French territory,<ref name=":0" /> however its success would be short-lived, mostly due to the introduction of trolleybuses on the tramway's route. On April 8, 1940, the Boulevard Bru branch would be closed and replaced by trolleybuses running from the boulevard to the Grande Poste,<ref name=":4" /> while on April 26, 1941, the line to the Colonne Voirol was also replaced by trolleybuses, thus reducing the TA network to a single line running from the Hôpital du Dey to Yusuf.
Like with the CFRA trams, the continued existence of the remaining TA line after the Second World War was heavily criticized by both city authorities and local motorists due to the trams clashing with car traffic. As such, the final trams ran on the TA network, and in the city of Algiers as a whole, on September 12, 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |title=transports,les derniers trams;http://alger-roi.fr;venis |url=https://alger-roi.fr/Alger/transports/textes/6_fin_trams_alger_ripoll.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=alger-roi.fr}}</ref>
=== Modern network ===
==== 2002-2011: Initial planning and construction ==== Plans to return trams to Algiers in a modern form were first introduced by the Algerian government in 2002, as part of an economic recovery package.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Schwandl |first=Robert |title=UrbanRail.Net > Africa > Algeria > ALGIERS Metro |url=http://www.urbanrail.net/af/alg/algiers.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622233024/http://www.urbanrail.net/af/alg/algiers.htm |archive-date=2007-06-22 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.urbanrail.net}}</ref> Feasibility studies for the new project were carried out by the French companies Semaly (now {{ill|Egis Rail|fr}}) and {{ill|Ingérop|fr}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=[semaly] - Tramway d'Alger Etude de faisabilité et Projet de deux lignes |url=http://www.semaly.com/article.php?nav=249,18,255,15,26,281,323,251,301,275,311,153,239,277,303,317&id_article=301 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019163123/http://www.semaly.com/article.php?nav=249,18,255,15,26,281,323,251,301,275,311,153,239,277,303,317&id_article=301 |archive-date=2006-10-19 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.semaly.com |language=fr}}</ref> with two lines being planned: an eastern line from Ruisseau in the city centre to Bordj El Kiffan, and a western line from the city centre to Bab-el-Oued and Aïn Bénian.<ref name=":5" /> Of the two lines, the eastern line was given the highest priority. On December 22, 2005, the ''déclaration d'utilité publique'' of the tramway was officially approved.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=25 December 2005 |title=Décret no. 05-485 du 22 décembre 2005 portant déclaration d'utilité publique de l'opération de réalisation de la première ligne du tramway d'Alger |trans-title=Decree no. 05-485 of 22 December 2005 declaring the public utility of the operation of realization of the first line of the Algiers tramway |url=https://www.joradp.dz/FTP/jo-francais/2005/F2005083.pdf |journal=Official Journal of the Algerian Republic |issue=83 |page=10}}</ref>
In February 2006, the Entreprise Métro d'Alger (EMA) awarded the contract for project and construction management of the eastern line to a consortium of Systra and RATP Dev.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Systra to manage Algiers tramway project |url=http://www.systra.com/news/news0074.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324175524/http://www.systra.com/news/news0074.htm |archive-date=2006-03-24 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.systra.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Alger starts light rail project |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/2006/04/01/alger-starts-light-rail-project/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en|date=1 April 2006}}</ref> Later, in June 2006, the EMA awarded the contract for construction of the tramway to the Mediterrail consortium of Alstom, Todini, and {{ill|ETRHB Haddad|fr}}.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alsthom: une ligne de tramway à Alger |url=https://www.saphirnews.com/Alsthom-une-ligne-de-tramway-a-Alger_a3796.html |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=SaphirNews.com {{!}} Quotidien d'actualité {{!}} Islam et Musulmans de France |language=fr}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Alstom delivers the first Citadis tramset for the Algiers tramway |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2009/3/Alstom-delivers-the-first-Citadis-tramset-for-the-Algiers-tramway-20090325 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref> Civil engineering works on the tramway would be carried out by Todini and ETRHB Haddad, while Alstom would supply the tram vehicles, the signalling system, and would carry out the laying of track as a turnkey project.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=A 225 million euros project - ALSTOM chosen to supply Algiers first tramway |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2006/6/A-225-million-euros-project-ALSTOM-chosen-to-supply-Algiers-first-tramway-20060614 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref>
Construction on the line began in March 2007, and the line was planned to open in 2009. However, over the course of construction, several problems arose concerning both land compensation for local residents, and the rerouting (and in some cases complete renewal) of utility networks such as those of water and electricity that lay along the route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=الميترو لن يدخل الخدمة قبل 2010 والتعويضات تعرقل مشروع الترامواي |url=https://www.echoroukonline.com/ara/?news=23434 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013120549/https://www.echoroukonline.com/ara/?news=23434 |archive-date=2017-10-13 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.echoroukonline.com |language=ar}}</ref> As a result of these problems, commissioning of the tramway was delayed several times.<gallery widths="175" heights="175" caption="Construction of the tramway in August 2008"> File:Tram alger travaux 5.jpg File:Tram alger travaux 3.jpg File:Tram alger travaux 2.jpg File:Tram alger travaux 4.jpg File:Tram alger travaux 1.jpg </gallery>In September 2008, the EMA selected the French company Keolis to operate the tram network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keolis sélectionné pour le tramway d’Alger |url=http://www.keolis.com/presse/communiques_detail.asp?id=120 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112230028/http://www.keolis.com/presse/communiques_detail.asp?id=120 |archive-date=2008-11-12 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.keolis.com|language=fr}}</ref> By February 2009, work on the line was approximately 37% complete, with the line's opening being scheduled for 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2009 |title=أشغال الترامواي بلغت 37 بالمائة والتسليم سنة 2010 |url=http://www.djazairess.com/elmoustakbel/1001913 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013070937/http://www.djazairess.com/elmoustakbel/1001913 |archive-date=2017-10-13 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.djazairess.com |language=ar}}</ref> The first of the 41 Alstom Citadis 402 trams ordered for the line was delivered on March 18, 2009.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Tram arrives in Alger |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/urban/2009/03/25/tram-arrives-in-alger/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en|date=25 March 2009}}</ref>
The contract for the operation of the tram network was officially signed by the EMA and Keolis on April 8, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KEOLIS, premier operateur prive de transport public de voyageurs |url=http://www.keolis.com/presse/communiques.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518075845/http://www.keolis.com/presse/communiques.asp |archive-date=2009-05-18 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.keolis.com |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Belmadi |first=Tayeb |date=9 September 2010 |title=Tramway d’Alger : Keolis évincé du marché, le projet toujours en chantier {{!}} DNA - Dernières nouvelles d'Algérie |url=http://www.dna-algerie.com/societe/tramway-d-alger-keolis-evince-du-marche-le-projet-toujours-en-chantier-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429070246/http://www.dna-algerie.com/societe/tramway-d-alger-keolis-evince-du-marche-le-projet-toujours-en-chantier-2 |archive-date=2011-04-29 |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=www.dna-algerie.com |language=fr-fr}}</ref> As part of the contract, Keolis would operate the tram network for ten years, however in February 2010, due to a multitude of judicial and financial issues, the contract was terminated and Keolis withdrew from the Algerian tram market, thus leaving the tramway (now scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2011) without a designated operator.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Hafid |first=Tarek |date=18 October 2010 |title=L'Etusa hérite du tramway d'Alger - Algérie360 |url=http://www.algerie360.com/algerie/l%E2%80%99etusa-herite-du-tramway-d%E2%80%99alger/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194910/http://www.algerie360.com/algerie/l%E2%80%99etusa-herite-du-tramway-d%E2%80%99alger/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |website=Algérie 360 |language=fr |access-date=17 January 2026 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":16" />
The first test run on the tramway occurred on May 15, 2010, over a distance of around {{Convert|2|km|mi}} near the depot in Bordj El Kiffan.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Tram testing starts in Alger |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/urban/2010/05/17/tram-testing-starts-in-alger/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en|date=17 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alstom launches the first Citadis tramway tests in Algiers |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2010/5/Alstom-launches-the-first-Citadis-tramway-tests-in-Algiers-20100520 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref> In September 2010, the EMA provisionally conceded operation of the tramway to the Entreprise de transport urbain et suburbain d'Alger (ETUSA), Algiers' public bus operator.<ref name=":10" /> On December 20, 2010, the first section of the tramway, from the Mokhtar Zerhouni district to Bordj El Kiffan, was officially handed over from the Mediterrail consortium partners to the EMA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delivery of the first section of the Algiers tramway |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2010/12/Delivery-of-the-first-section-of-the-Algiers-tramway |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=World rail infrastructure market February 2011 |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/2011/02/16/world-rail-infrastructure-market-february-2011/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en|date=16 February 2011|quote=The Méditerrail consortium of Alstom and Etrhb handed over the initial 8·7 km of the 23 km Alger tram line to Entreprise du Métro d'Alger for commissioning in December.}}</ref> ==== 2011-2015: Opening and extensions ==== thumb|Passengers on board a tram on the network's inauguration day.The first phase of the new tramway, running for {{Convert|7.2|km|mi}} from the Mokhtar Zerhouni district (''Tamaris'' station) to the depot at Bordj El Kiffan (''Mimouni Hamoud'' station), officially opened on May 8, 2011.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-05-10 |title=Algiers inaugurates first light rail line |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/algiers-inaugurates-first-light-rail-line/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Alstoms Citadis tramway begins commercial service in Algiers |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2011/5/Alstoms-Citadis-tramway-begins-commercial-service-in-Algiers |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |title=Alger’s first tram line enters service |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/urban/2011/05/09/algers-first-tram-line-enters-service/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711011717/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/algers-first-tram-line-enters-service.html |archive-date=2013-07-11 |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=Railway Gazette International |language=|date=9 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Aflou |first=Lyes |date=10 May 2011 |title=Algiers opens new tram network |url=http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2011/05/10/feature-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517093107/http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2011/05/10/feature-04 |archive-date=2011-05-17 |access-date=2026-05-08 |work=Magharebia |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The second stage of the line, extending west from Tamaris to the city centre at Ruisseau over a length of {{Convert|9.1|km|mi}}, opened on June 15, 2012, providing connections with the metro at the line's terminus at Ruisseau/Les Fusillés and the Algiers suburban rail at Caroubier.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=2012-06-21 |title=Algiers light rail reaches Les Fusillés |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/algiers-light-rail-reaches-les-fusills/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-13 |title=Un second tronçon de tram à Alger |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2012/06/13/97001-20120613FILWWW00687-un-second-troncon-de-tram-a-alger.php |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}}</ref> In October 2012, operation of the tramway was transferred from the ETUSA to {{ill|SETRAM|fr|Société d'exploitation des tramways}} (Société d'exploitation des tramways), a joint-venture formed by the EMA, the ETUSA, and RATP Dev earlier in May of that year for the operation of tram networks nationwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=L'exploitation confiée à la société algéro-française SETRAM: La mise en service commerciale du tramway pour début mai 2013 |url=https://www.vitaminedz.com/fr/Algerie/l-exploitation-confiee-a-la-societe-algero-francaise-805844-Articles-0-0-1.html |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=vitaminedz.com |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Joint venture formed to run Algerian tramways |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/urban/2012/05/28/joint-venture-formed-to-run-algerian-tramways/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en|date=28 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=2012-05-29 |title=Joint venture to operate Algerian light rail lines |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/joint-venture-to-operate-algerian-light-rail-lines/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Test running on the third phase of the tramway, from Bordj El Kiffan east to Café Chergui, began in January 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=2014-01-30 |title=Testing underway on Algiers LRT extension |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/testing-underway-on-algiers-lrt-extension/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref> The {{Convert|4.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} long extension later opened on April 16, 2014.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=2014-04-16 |title=Algiers light rail extension inaugurated |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/algiers-light-rail-extension-inaugurated/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Alger tramway extends east |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/urban/2014/04/22/alger-tramway-extends-east/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en|date=22 April 2014}}</ref>
The tramway's final extension, from Café Chergui further east to Dergana Centre over a distance of {{Convert|2.7|km|mi}}, opened on June 14, 2015.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=2015-06-15 |title=Algiers light rail reaches Dergana |url=https://www.railjournal.com/news/algiers-light-rail-reaches-dergana/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref> On December 21, 2015, an infill stop called ''Ben Redouane'' also opened between the ''Ben Merabet'' and ''Ben Merad'' stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UrbanRail.Net > Africa > Algeria > ALGIERS Metro |url=https://www.urbanrail.net/af/alg/algiers.htm |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.urbanrail.net}}</ref>
== System == === Route === {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2026}} The tramway network's only line runs on an east-west route, starting at ''Ruisseau'' station in the southeastern part of the city centre and then turning right onto Tripoli Avenue and paralleling the SNTF's mainline railway out of Algiers. The line then crosses over the railway at ''Caroubier'' station and continues to run alongside it until splitting off near ''La Glacière'' station. The line crosses the El Harrach river on a bridge and then runs alongside and in the median of the {{ill|N5 road (Algeria)|lt=N5|ar|الطريق الوطني رقم 5 (الجزائر)|fr|Route nationale 5 (Algérie)}} and {{ill|N24 road (Algeria)|lt=N24|ar|الطريق الوطني رقم 24 (الجزائر)|fr|Route nationale 24 (Algérie)}} motorways until ''Tamaris'' station, where it leaves the motorway and curves sharply south to serve the Mokhtar Zerhouni, Rabia Taher and 5 Juillet residential neighbourhoods, as well as the Houari Boumédiène Technological University. The line reaches its southernmost point at ''Université de Bab Ezzouar (USTHB)'' station before turning back north towards Bordj El Kiffan, running east through its town centre before rejoining the N24 motorway and running alongside it in a northeasterly direction until ''Faculté Biomedicale'' stop, where the line turns south once again to serve the residential centre of Dergana, where it terminates. The line's total length of {{Convert|23.2|km|mi}} makes it the longest tramway currently operating in Algeria.
From its terminus at Ruisseau until it crosses the El Harrach river, the line runs on the former route of the CFRA network's line to El Harrach.
=== Infrastructure === thumb|A tram on the ''Bananiers'' bridge over the N11 motorway near Bab Ezzouar, May 2025.The line runs entirely on its own right-of-way, alongside or in the median of roads,<ref name=":11">{{Citation |last=Kußmagk |first=Bernhard |title=Tram Atlas: Nordafrika & Naher Osten = Tram Atlas: North Africa & Middle East |date=2025 |edition=1. Auflage |place=Berlin |publisher=Robert Schwandl Verlag |isbn=978-3-936573-82-4 |last2=Schwandl |first2=Robert}}</ref> however it includes level crossings in order to allow road vehicles to cross its route. Additionally, several bridges have been built specifically for the tramway, in order to facilitate grade separation on the line.<ref name=":11" /> Between the stations of ''Caroubier'' and ''La Glaicère,'' there is a level intersection between the tracks of the tramway and those of the SNTF's freight branch to the Caroubier fuel depot.<ref name=":11" /> It is the only place in Algeria where trams and mainline-level railways intersect.
The line runs on standard-gauge (1435 mm) rails, and electricity is supplied by a 750 V DC overhead line.<ref name=":11" /> The tram depot is located near Bordj El Kiffan, in between the ''Mouhous'' and ''Mimouni Hamoud'' stations.
=== Stations === {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0" style="border: 1px solid #999; background-color:white; text-align:center;" |- bgcolor="#AAAAAA" ! !! !! !! Stations!! Commune served!! Connections!! |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">■</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" | ''' Ruisseau - الرويسو''' | Hussein Dey |20px|link=Algiers Metro (''Les Fusillés'' station) |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" | ''' Les Fusillés - المعدومين''' | Hussein Dey |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" | ''' Tripoli-Thaalibia - طرابلس-الثعالبية''' | Hussein Dey |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" | ''' Tripoli-Mosquée - طرابلس-المسجد''' | Hussein Dey |20px|link=Algiers suburban rail network (''Hussein Dey'' station) |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |''' Tripoli-Hamadache - طرابلس-حمداش''' | Hussein Dey |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Tripoli-Maqqaria - طرابلس المقرية''' | Hussein Dey |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Caroubier - الخروبة''' | Hussein Dey |20px|link=Algiers suburban rail network (''Caroubier'' station) |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''La Glacière -الهواء الجميل''' | El Harrach |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Pont El Harrach - جسر الحراش''' | El Harrach |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Bellevue - المنظر الجميل''' | El Harrach |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Bekri Bougerra - بكري بوقرة''' | El Harrach |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cinq Maisons - الديار الخمس''' | Mohammedia |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Foire d'Alger - قصر المعارض''' | Mohammedia |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Les Pins - الصنوبر''' | Mohammedia |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Tamaris - حيّ المندرين''' | Mohammedia |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cité Mokhtar Zerhouni - حي مختار زرهوني''' | Mohammedia |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cité Rabia Tahar - حي رابية''' | Bab Ezzouar |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Université de Bab Ezzouar - جامعة باب الزوار''' | Bab Ezzouar |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cité 5 juillet - حي 5 جويلية''' | Bab Ezzouar |20px|link=Algiers Metro (''Rabia Tahar'' station, under construction) |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Bab Ezzouar - Le Pont - باب الزوار - الجسر''' | Bab Ezzouar |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cité Universitaire - CUB1 - الحي الجامعي - ح ج ب 1''' | Bab Ezzouar |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cité 8 Mai 1945 - حي 8 ماي 1945''' | Bab Ezzouar |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Cité Clair Matin- كلارماتان''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Bordj El Kiffan - Lycée- برج الكيفان - الثانوية''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Borfj El Kiffan - Centre - برج الكيفان - وسط''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Bordj El Kiffan - Polyclinique - برج الكيفان - العيادة الطبية''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Mouhous - موحوس''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Mimouni Hamoud - ميموني حمود''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Ben Merabet - بني مرابط''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Ben Redouane - بني رضوان''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Ben Merred - بني مراد''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Sidi Dris - سيدي إدريس''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Benzerga - بني زرقة''' |Bordj El Kiffan |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Café Chergui - قهوة شرقي''' |Bordj El Bahri |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Faculté Biomédicale - كلية الطب الحيوي''' |Bordj El Bahri |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">●</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Dergana Cité Diplomatique - حي درقانة''' |Bordj El Bahri |- | bgcolor="#ffffff" | || bgcolor="green" |<span style="color:white;">■</span> || bgcolor="#ffffff" | | align="center" |'''Dergana Centre - درقانة وسط''' |Bordj El Bahri |}
== Rolling stock == thumb|Tram #119 on a westbound service to Ruisseau in 2013. The tramway is operated with 48 7-section Alstom Citadis 402 vehicles.
Ordered as a part of the turnkey tramway contract in 2006,<ref name=":8" /> the trams were manufactured at the Alstom factory in La Rochelle, France. The low-floor trams were designed by the French agency RCP Design Global,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Algiers tramway: on a visit to La Rochelle, customer EMA satisfied with the model |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2007/7/Algiers-tramway-on-a-visit-to-La-Rochelle-customer-EMA-satisfied-with-the-model-20070720 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dates clés - Agence RCP Design Global - transport - industriel - tourisme |url=http://www.rcp.fr/fr/quoi-accueil.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101111003/http://www.rcp.fr/fr/quoi-accueil.php |archive-date=2016-01-01 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.rcp.fr |url-status=dead }}</ref> and have a livery of blue and white, similar to other forms of public transit in Algiers (including the metro, suburban rail, and buses). The first tram arrived in Algiers on March 18, 2009,<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" /> and delivery continued until 2011.
An additional order of seven trams was placed in 2007,<ref>{{Cite web |title=With 3 new orders in Lyon, Istanbul and Algiers worth 240 million Alstom crosses the threshold of 1,000 Citadis tramways sold worldwide |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2007/10/2007-10-16_Citadis_en |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref> to be put in service for the tramway's extensions. These supplemental trams were delivered in 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 - a record year for Alstom Citadis tramways |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2013/1/2012-a-record-year-for-alstom-citadis-tramways- |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref> and entered service in conjunction with the network's eastern extension in April 2014.<ref name=":17" />
Due to the tramway's popularity, the existing fleet soon proved not to be enough to meet the demands of ridership. As a result, in 2024, two trams were transferred from the Constantine tramway network to Algiers in order to meet capacity.<ref name=":11" /> It is possible that more trams may be transferred from Constantine in the future, as the city's network has a large surplus of trams due to an unrealised extension plan.<ref name=":11" />
== See also == * Algiers Metro * List of town tramway systems in Africa * Template:Suburban railways in Africa
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://setram.dz/nos-reseaux/ALG SETRAM website for the Algiers Tramway] *[https://urbanrail.net/af/alg/algiers.htm ''Algiers'' at UrbanRail.Net] {{commons category|position=left}}
{{Algeria topics}} {{Rapid transit in Africa}} {{Urban rail transit in Algeria}} {{coord missing|Algeria}}
Category:Light rail in Algeria Category:Tram transport in Algeria Category:Public inquiries in Algeria Tramway Category:Rail transport articles in need of updating Category:RATP Group Category:2011 establishments in Algeria Category:Standard-gauge railways in Algeria