Tram systems in Sétif
Sétif (سطيف in Arabic) is a city in northeast Algeria and the capital of Sétif Province. It is an important commercial and agricultural centre in the Hauts Plateaux region, standing at approximately 1,100 metres above sea level. Its inland location and elevation give it hot, dry summers and cold winters.
Public transport in Sétif includes the tramway, local buses and taxis, with longer-distance connections provided by trains and coaches. The tramway serves the main bus station and provides access to the railway station. The city is also served by Sétif–8 Mai 1945 Airport, located approximately 12 km west of the city.
Sétif's modern tramway opened on 8 May 2018. The network consists of a single line with two western branches, serving 26 stops across approximately 15.2 km of track.
Services run from 11 Décembre 1960 in the eastern part of the city, through the city centre and past the Stade du 8 Mai 1945 towards Ferhat Abbas University. Beyond Sipion Tombeau Numidien, the route divides into branches terminating at Berchi Abid and Oucissa Laïd, serving different parts of the university campus and its student residences.
An extension towards the Tinar housing district in Ouled Saber, east of Sétif, has been proposed. In April 2026, the provincial authorities announced plans to launch a study, but no construction or opening dates have been confirmed.
Sétif currently has 1 tram line, details of which can be found on the Lines tab.
The tramway is operated and maintained by SETRAM, the company responsible for Algeria's modern tram networks.
Planning for Sétif's first tramway was underway by 2007, with a feasibility study approved in June 2008. The initial proposals envisaged three lines, with priority given to an east–west route linking the university area at El Bez with the city centre and eastern residential districts.
Construction was formally launched on 8 May 2014, with the project undertaken by a consortium of the Turkish construction company Yapı Merkezi and the French railway manufacturer Alstom. The tramway formed part of Algeria's wider programme to introduce modern urban rail transport. In 2016, Alstom announced the supply of 26 Citadis trams for Sétif, to be assembled by CITAL at its factory in Annaba.
The tramway opened to passengers on 8 May 2018, making Sétif the sixth Algerian city with a modern tram system. The opening network comprised approximately 15.2 km of track and 26 stops, connecting the eastern districts with the city centre and university area. Both the construction launch and the opening coincided with the anniversary of the massacres of 8 May 1945, an important commemorative date in Sétif.
Sétif 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 between 11 Décembre 1960 in the east and the city centre and El Bez university campus, dividing into branches to Berchi Abid and Oucissa Laid. |
Sétif's tramway uses standard-gauge track, with a rail spacing of 1,435 mm. The line is double-track and is electrified at 750 V DC through overhead wires.
The network has a depot and maintenance centre in the eastern part of the city, near the 11 Décembre 1960 terminus. The facilities provide tram storage, cleaning and maintenance, together with support for the operation of the line.
The tramway was supplied with 26 Alstom Citadis trams, assembled by CITAL at its factory in Annaba, Algeria. Each tram is approximately 44 metres long and can accommodate up to 302 passengers. The vehicles have a fully low floor, air conditioning and dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and pushchairs.