The renewal of the public passenger transport fleet enters a new phase. Transport directorates across regional prefectures have begun withdrawing ancient buses, specifically those reaching or exceeding 30 years of age, alongside retrieving their administrative documents. This operation aims to support transport operators in renewing their fleets and encouraging the rollout of modern vehicles.
This initiative follows directives from the Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport aimed at systematically modernizing the public passenger transport network. Affected operators are asked to contact local transport directorates, open Sunday through Thursday, to submit their application files.
In its initial phase, the measure targets buses aged 30 years and older, corresponding to vehicles brought into service up to 1996. The stated objective is to permanently remove these vehicles from operation and traffic, replacing them with new buses better suited to contemporary passenger transport standards.
To qualify for a replacement, operators must submit a request to swap their legacy bus for a new unit, accompanied by the original operating authorization, route schedule card or itinerary permit, and the original registration certificate.
Once the application is registered, an initial certificate is granted to the transport operator. This authorization enables them to deliver their legacy vehicle for processing to one of the facilities operated by the National Recovery Company (SNRV).
Following the surrender of the vehicle and presentation of official documentation confirming its handover to the scrap facility, the operator receives a second certificate. This document allows them to move forward with purchasing a new bus, including securing bank financing through an approved institution.
The framework also includes targeted financial incentives on the purchase price of replacement vehicles to ease the transition toward a updated fleet.
Meanwhile, the National Organization of Algerian Transporters confirmed that passenger buses exceeding 30 years of age will be retired from service. Vehicle owners wishing to maintain operations can access several support measures designed to reduce renewal expenses.
The incentive scheme includes a state contribution covering 20% of the new bus purchase value, with the buyer paying a 10% down payment. These provisions are supplemented by tax relief, including exemptions from custom duties and value-added tax (VAT).
According to announced guidelines, the remaining balance can be settled in installments structured over a period extending up to ten years.
Through these measures, public authorities aim to accelerate the modernization of public transit while backing operators through the transition. For industry professionals, the priority now involves pairing the retirement of older vehicles with the steady introduction of a new generation of buses under a financial structure designed to keep the program accessible.
Beyond physical fleet upgrades, this strategy seeks to permanently elevate public passenger transit by gradually eliminating older vehicles from the national fleet while stimulating investment in modern transport infrastructure.