Runaway Train

Services across the system are operated by a fleet of
40m-long low floor Alstom Citadis LRVs. Alstom was
engaged to provide all infrastructure including platforms,
rails, electrification, signalling, a 42,000m2 depot at Bordj
El Kiffan and the central command post for the tramway.
Alstom is also responsible for maintaining the tram system
equipment and the tram sets for ten years. US-based
ACS has provided the ticketing system under contract
from Alstom.
It is worth noting that the Alstom Citadis LRVs, constructed
for part of the Algiers tramway, were constructed by Cital,
a joint venture established by Alstom, EMA, Ferrovial and
SNTF, at a purpose-built facility in the eastern Algerian
town of Annaba. As part of its commitment to support the
industrialisation of Algeria, the consortium has established
the facility which has capacity to produce five trams each
month. The establishment of the facility and the set-up of
Cital have been well received by the Algerian authorities
with a MOU signed with Citel, covering engineering,
manufacturing and maintenance, extended in December
2014. Cital has been engaged to provide LRVs for a number of
projects since its establishment (see below). 108
Setif
A joint venture of Alstom and Turkish construction company
Yapi Merkezi was awarded a contract in 2014 to build and
equip the 15.2 km line from El Bez University to Eastern
Maintenance Centre in Setif, which, when complete, will
have 27 stations and a commercial speed of 20.3 km/h, with
peak capacity of 5000 passengers per direction per hour.
Construction began on 8 May 2014. 109
Cital (see above) was awarded a contract to supply 26 Citadis
low-floor LRV kits. The vehicles are due to be assembled
in Cital’s eastern Algerian manufacturing centre. The LRVs
will be used on the initial phase of the light rail network in
Sétif, due to open in the first quarter of 2018. Each 44m-long
2.6m-wide bi-directional vehicle will accommodate up to 302
passengers.
Sidi Bel Abbès
34 Alstom Citadis 402 LRVs for the initial phase of the light
rail network in Sidi Bel Abbès began arriving into the city on
8 April 2016. The 43.7m-long vehicles accommodate up to
302 passengers and are being assembled by Cital (see above)
at its manufacturing centre in eastern Algeria.
The initial USD420m phase of the network comprises two
lines totalling 17.8 km with 26 stations. The project is being
managed by EMA with Yapi Merkezi, Turkey, carrying out civil
works under a contract awarded in 2013. Commercial services
are expected to begin in the next few weeks. 110
Constantine
The Constantine light-rail line opened in 2013, and has
transported over 3,500,000 passengers per annum since
opening. The 8.1 km line has 11 stations and runs from the
city’s old town, passing over the slope of the Oued Rhumel,
and from there on to the university area, ending in the
modern part of the city. The line is operated and maintained
by Setram, a consortium of RATP Dev, EMA and Algiers Urban
and Suburban Public Transport Enterprise under a ten year
contract.
It was announced in August 2015 that EMA had awarded
a USD230m contract to extend the system by 10 km
to the new city of Ali Mendjeli and Mohamed Boudiaf
airport. A consortium of Alstom, Corsan, Corviam and
Cosider was appointed to carry out the work, with Alstom
supplying the integrated system, track, catenary, signalling,
telecommunications, substations and ticketing equipment
for its circa USD88m share of the contract. The line is due to
be commissioned in 2018.
Oran
The Oran tramway is a light-rail system under construction
in Oran. The first line of the network covers 19 km in length
over 32 stations. Work on the project began in late 2008, and
was completed in 2013.
Spain-based Isolux Corsán group undertook civil engineering
works and track-laying as well as setting overhead lines,
while Alstom supplied 30 Citadis LRVs and undertook
signalling works. Such appointment was a precursor,
one would think, to the establishment of the long-term
relationship Alstom appears now to enjoy with Algeria, and
the eventual establishment of Cital (see above) to bring
the assembly of LRVs for future projects to the country,
providing for significant “in-country value”. Such a structure
is something the market should pay attention to as it
has resulted in a successful (and importantly ongoing)
partnership for Alstom. An extension from Hatab to Banarba
has also been planned for the Oran Tramway, but there is
nothing concrete in the press on this extension.
Runaway train | January 2017
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