Ahead of the imminent Eid al‑Fitr, Algeria’s Road‑Transport Stations Operating Company (Sogral) has announced a special operational plan to cope with the exceptional surge in passengers expected during the holiday, by deploying more than 2,300 additional services across all bus terminals nationwide—a mobilization described as unprecedented in scale to ensure smooth travel flows.
Sogral indicated that this program, which began last Saturday, will run through next Friday and extend into the following week to organize and secure the return of millions of citizens traveling between the various wilayas. The aim is to meet demand that could reach close to 350,000 passengers per day. To that end, the company is insisting on strict adherence to carriers’ duty schedules, in close coordination with local transport departments, in order to prevent any complications for users and avoid overcrowding at major road‑transport hubs.
To ease access to tickets and reduce waiting lines, 364 ticket counters have been set up, including 148 equipped with electronic payment terminals (EPTs). The company has also expanded use of the mobile app “Mahati,” now available at 62 bus terminals, allowing travelers to purchase tickets online and plan their journeys in advance. Since the launch of the platform, more than 35,000 tickets have been sold, while the “S.O.S Danger” feature has recorded over 4,700 alerts about hazardous behavior or on‑road problems. These reports are handled by a dedicated monitoring cell, enabling rapid, targeted intervention to safeguard users’ safety.
To ensure optimal coverage of travelers, Sogral has decided to suspend all weekly and annual leave for its maintenance and security staff. This arrangement, coordinated with wilaya authorities and the public enterprise, is designed to maximize the number of personnel on‑site and maintain service continuity throughout the peak‑traffic period.
A preventive and operational action plan has also been rolled out in partnership with the National Police, Civil Protection, and the National Gendarmerie. The plan is intended to preserve public order within terminals, manage passenger flows, and ensure swift response in case of emergencies. Road safety remains a top priority: Sogral has launched awareness campaigns on traffic accidents, specifically targeting bus drivers and operators of long‑distance vehicles, emphasizing vigilance, caution, and strict compliance with traffic rules, especially on the busiest days linked to Eid.
The company underlined that these measures are part of a broader strategy to modernize and improve services offered to citizens. By combining an increase in services, digital tools, and enhanced security arrangements, Sogral aims not only to facilitate travel during Eid al‑Fitr, but also to establish a durable quality standard for intercity transport in Algeria. Overall, these efforts reflect the public enterprise’s commitment to meeting the growing needs of travelers while safeguarding their safety and comfort, in line with both traditional habits and the specific demands of the festive period.
Through digital modernization, strengthened staffing, and close coordination with security forces, Sogral has pledged to deliver a responsive and efficient public service, providing passengers with a smooth and secure journey during Eid al‑Fitr and laying the groundwork for more structured management of peak‑traffic periods in the future.