Tram systems in Ouargla
Ouargla (ورقلة) is an oasis city in the Algerian Sahara and the capital of Ouargla Province. Its older centre developed around the Ksar, while newer districts extend westwards from the city. Ouargla is also home to Kasdi Merbah University and is an important centre for the region's oil industry. The contrast between the historic oasis city and its newer neighbourhoods gives the tramway a useful role in linking different parts of Ouargla.
Buses and coaches provide local and longer-distance transport. Ouargla has bus stations in the southwest and the city centre; the newer bus station is served by the tram at Gare Multimodale, allowing passengers to change between road transport and the tram. The tramway is the city's principal fixed-route urban transport service, running through residential areas, the university district and the centre.
Ouargla has a single tram line between Chenine Kadour, in the western district of Haï Ennasr, and Sid Rouhou, near the older part of the city. The route passes the bus station, university areas and central Ouargla. It opened on 20 March 2018 and is approximately 9.7 km long, with 16 stops. Built for the conditions of the Sahara, it was the first modern tramway to open in southern Algeria.
Proposals include completing the original route towards the old Ksar and extending the line west towards Bamendil. Neither extension has a confirmed construction date.
Ouargla currently has 1 tram line, details of which can be found on the Lines tab.
SETRAM operates and maintains the Ouargla tramway. The network was developed for Entreprise Métro d'Alger (EMA), the public body responsible for the tramway infrastructure.
The SETRAM Ouargla website provides information about the tramway. Further information about the network's development is available from EMA.
Plans for Ouargla's tramway formed part of a wider effort to improve urban transport and connect the growing western districts with the city centre. The route was initially planned to extend for 12.6 km towards El Ksar. The section ultimately built was shortened to approximately 9.7 km, leaving the proposed continuation beyond the present eastern terminus unbuilt.
Design work was under way by 2011, and construction began in 2013. The first tram, assembled in Algeria by CITAL, arrived in Ouargla in December 2016. The line opened to passengers on 20 March 2018, becoming the first modern tramway in southern Algeria. Its opening connected Haï Ennasr, the university areas and central Ouargla by tram for the first time.
Ouargla 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 | Line 1 runs from Chenine Kadour to Sid Rouhou. |
Ouargla's single line is double-tracked and uses standard-gauge track (1,435 mm). The trams draw 750 V direct current from overhead wires. Much of the route runs on a dedicated alignment alongside or within the city's roads. The depot and maintenance centre are near Gare Multimodale, on the western part of the line.
The fleet comprises 23 low-floor Alstom Citadis 402 trams assembled by CITAL in Annaba, Algeria. Each is approximately 44 metres long. For Ouargla's climate, the trams have strengthened air conditioning and solar protection on their windows. Their traction and braking equipment was adapted to resist dust and sand, while exposed components, including the pantographs and shock absorbers, received additional protection. The maintenance facilities and track equipment were also designed with the desert conditions in mind.