Inauguration of the First Suburban Railway Line in Tunisia

The Rapid Rail Network (RFR) of Tunis welcomed its first passengers on March 20, 2023. This is the culmination of 13 years of mission for SYSTRA to improve service to the Tunisian capital.

From 2007 to 2023, SYSTRA acted as leader of the project management consortium with Studi, under the direction of RFR, benefiting from cross-financing from a consortium made up of the European Investment Bank, the Française de Développement and the KFW. At the end of the day, a complete mission started in 2010, for the control and follow-up of the work, in coordination with all the stakeholders of the project and in close collaboration with the contracting authority. The inauguration took place in the presence of Rabie Majidi, the Tunisian Minister of Transport.

From 2007 to 2023, SYSTRA acted as leader of the project management consortium with Studi, under the direction of RFR, benefiting from cross-financing from a consortium made up of the European Investment Bank, the Française de Développement and the KFW. At the end of the day, a complete mission started in 2010, for the control and follow-up of the work, in coordination with all the stakeholders of the project and in close collaboration with the contracting authority. The inauguration took place in the presence of Rabie Majidi, the Tunisian Minister of Transport.

Here is a new suburban transport project in Africa led by SYSTRA, which sees the light of day one year after that of the Dakar TER. It is an essential line for the mobility of Tunisians, because the road networks are saturated and the demand for areas of 8 to 15 km on the outskirts of the city center clearly exceeds the supply at rush hour. The RFR is durable because it is electric, at the highest level of safety, reliable and efficient. It will redistribute the supply of transport around stations and reduce air and noise pollution in urban areas. We hope to collaborate again with the SNCFT in the coming years.

MICHEL ARIBI, PROJECT DIRECTOR OF RFR TUNIS, SYSTRA TUNISIA (INTERNATIONAL WEST)

The inaugural train left Bougatfa station at 4:40 p.m. heading for Tunis, with officials and residents of Sidi Hassine on board. During the first week, the RFR was free so that travelers could take ownership of their new network.

SYSTRA has put its expertise in suburban rail to good use at the RFR, with state-of-the-art solutions such as ETCS-1 signalling, a 25,000 volt power supply and a centralized control station. The aerial part was built with three prestressed concrete U-shaped viaducts over a kilometer long, which would reduce the quantities of concrete used while allowing the Tunisian authorities to benefit from a patented structure with internationally recognized qualities.