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RATP Dev sets new standard in Algeria with launch of Constantine tramway

Posted: 5 July 2013 | bcm public relations | No comments yet

Transport Minister Mr Amar Tou officially launched the Constantine tramway on 4th July 2013…

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Transport Minister Mr Amar Tou officially launched the Constantine tramway on 4th July 2013 in the presence of the Wali for Constantine, Nuredin Bedoui, and RATP Dev Executive Board Chairman, Mr François-Xavier Perin.

Setram, a jointly-owned subsidiary of RATP Dev (a subsidiary of RATP Group), Entreprise du Métro d’Alger (EMA) and Etablissement Public de Transport Urbain et Suburbain d’Alger (ETUSA) will bring the tram line into commercial service on the 5th July and will operate and maintain the line for 10 years.

With ten stops over the 8.1 km long line, the tramway will considerably improve mobility in Constantine, Algeria’s third largest city with a population of nearly 900,000. It is expected that 70,000 passengers per day will ultimately use the line.

The tramway will operate every day from 5 a.m. till 11 p.m with services every three minutes during peak times and every five minutes during off-peak times. Its Alstom carriages feature the latest technological innovations including air-conditioning, video-projection and a low floor to guarantee comfort, safety and easy access for all passengers.

Setram has implemented the entire preparatory phase for entry into service since January 2013. Some 500 employees were hired locally and trained by RATP Group experts to provide tramway maintenance and operation services. Setram tapped into the know-how of the RATP Group to develop operating procedures, define the maintenance policy and complete the technical trials through to the dry run.

“RATP Dev is delighted to offer its know-how once again to develop high quality public transport services in Algeria and to promote a skills transfer for locally hired and trained staff”, stated RATP Dev Executive Board Chairman, François-Xavier Perin.

Setram staff ran an educational programme targeted at the population of Constantine that focussed on safety prior to the commissioning of the tramway. In addition, road users where given details of the new “code for sharing” the public highway. Others actions included communicating with local neighbourhoods and hosting open days for children.

RATP Group already operates the tramway system in Algiers and Oran through Setram and the Algiers metro system through RATP El-Djazaïr. It now operates and maintains over 50 km of metro and tram lines in Algeria where it has a workforce of over 2,300.

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