The push to modernize public transportation rolls on. Officials handed over 908 buses to multiple public operators as part of a national fleet renewal plan targeting 10,000 units. This effort aligns with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s directives to sustainably enhance citizens’ mobility options.
Overseen by Interior Minister, Local Authorities, and Transport Minister Saïd Sayoud, the handover signals the government’s firm intent to close longstanding gaps in equipment and service quality for mass transit.
A ministry statement noted that the buses, built by the automotive industry development facility under the 2nd Military Region’s Military Industries Directorate, were distributed based on each transport entity’s needs.
The largest share went to the public “Transtev” group, which received 538 buses for inter-provincial routes and long-haul services. Boosting capacity here addresses surging demand on lines plagued by resource shortages and persistent overcrowding.
Urban and suburban transport firms also gained ground. Algiers’ public entity got 320 buses, while Oran’s received 50. These additions should ease strain on city networks, long criticized for chronic shortcomings.
The ceremony drew key sector figures, including the manufacturing facility’s director general, the ministry’s secretary general, and the director general for mobility and logistics. Directors from affected provinces’ urban and suburban transport companies attended, alongside “Transtev” subsidiaries (TVC, TVO, NTV, TRANSUB, TVE).
Beyond formality, their presence underscores the program’s priority status, with more deliveries slated for coming months.
While this step marks concrete progress, it alone won’t fix the sector’s deep-rooted issues: aging fleets, route planning flaws, inconsistent schedules, and operational hurdles persist.
Authorities are banking on continued rollouts to drive steady upgrades, aiming to lift public service standards and meet rising user expectations across all provinces.
The real test: Will these new assets come with the reforms needed for efficient, lasting public transport management?