Tram systems in Oran
Oran (وهران in Arabic) is Algeria’s second-largest city and a major port on the Mediterranean coast in the northwest of the country. It is an important commercial and cultural centre, known for its association with raï music and the Santa Cruz fort overlooking the city.
Public transport in Oran includes buses, trams and rail services, complemented by taxis. The public bus operator ETO provides urban and suburban services. Oran’s main railway station offers connections to Algiers and other destinations, while Ahmed Ben Bella Airport, south of the city, handles domestic and international flights.
Oran’s modern tramway opened in May 2013 and is operated and maintained by SETRAM, Algeria’s national tram operator. The system consists of a single line with 32 stops over approximately 19 km.
The route connects Es Senia, south of Oran, with Gare Routière de Sidi Maarouf on the eastern side of the urban area, passing through the city centre. It serves residential districts, university campuses and central locations including Place du 1er Novembre.
Extensions have long been proposed towards Belgaïd, including its university and sports facilities, and towards Ahmed Ben Bella Airport. Local authorities have announced plans to revive these projects after a prolonged period on hold, but construction progress and opening dates remain unconfirmed.
Oran currently has 1 tram line, details of which can be found on the Lines tab.
SETRAM — operates and maintains the Oran tramway.
Oran’s first electric tram services began in February 1899, operated by the Compagnie des Tramways Électriques d’Oran. The network connected the city centre with surrounding districts, with routes radiating from Place d’Armes, now Place du 1er Novembre. A separate electric tramway to the coastal town of Aïn el Turck opened in 1920.
The tramways were gradually replaced by road transport. The Aïn el Turck line closed in 1939, while several urban routes were converted to trolleybus operation during the 1940s. Buses replaced the remaining tram services, with the last tram running on 2 December 1951. Oran then remained without trams for more than sixty years.
Studies for a modern tramway began in 2006 as part of Algeria’s programme to introduce new urban tram systems. The project was commissioned by Entreprise Métro d’Alger and awarded to the Tramnour consortium, comprising Alstom and Isolux Corsan. The construction project was formally launched in December 2008, with Alstom supplying the trams and operating equipment and Isolux Corsan responsible for the principal infrastructure works.
After several delays, the new tramway was inaugurated on 1 May 2013, with commercial services beginning the following day. The 18.7 km route linked Es Senia with Sidi Maarouf through central Oran, serving 32 stops. Construction also brought improvements to streets and public spaces along the route, including Place du 1er Novembre and areas around USTO and Sidi Maarouf.
Oran currently has 1 tram line, which is listed below. To see more information about a particular line, click on the link in the table below.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oran’s tram line runs between Es Senia Université and Gare Routière de Sidi Maarouf, passing through the city centre and serving residential districts, universities and the main railway station. |
Oran’s tramway uses standard-gauge track (1,435 mm), with electricity supplied at 750 V DC through overhead wires. Trams collect power using roof-mounted pantographs.
The route includes dedicated tram infrastructure and engineered crossings of major roads. Notable features include a viaduct at the third ring road and the Hammou Mokhtar stop, situated below street level in the open centre of the Dar El Beïda roundabout. The main depot at Sidi Maarouf, near the eastern end of the line, provides facilities for tram storage, cleaning and maintenance.
Services use Alstom Citadis 302 articulated low-floor trams. The original order comprised 30 vehicles manufactured at Alstom’s factory near Barcelona in Spain.
The five-section trams are approximately 32 metres long and 2.65 metres wide, with driving cabs at both ends. Their low floors provide accessible boarding, while air conditioning and passenger information displays in Arabic and French cater for local operating conditions.