By: Ecofin agency

Tunis public transport operator Transtu has signed a €75 million ($85.9 million) contract with Chinese manufacturer CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd for 18 electric trainsets. The trains will operate on the northern suburban rail line connecting Tunis with La Goulette and La Marsa.

The order aims to increase capacity on the line to meet rising demand while improving safety and service quality. Each air-conditioned trainset will accommodate up to 400 passengers, with seating for 90, and reach a maximum speed of 100 km per hour. Once in service, the trains will run every six minutes during peak hours and every 12 minutes during off-peak periods.

The purchase is part of Transtu’s ongoing fleet renewal. The company has faced operational difficulties for several years, affecting the quality of public transport services across Greater Tunis.

The project is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank. The contract also includes five years of maintenance support, as well as spare parts and maintenance equipment. It also covers the purchase of an underfloor wheel lathe to improve fleet reliability.

The order is part of the Tunisian government’s plan to invest 36 billion dinars ($12.147 billion) by 2040 in modernizing and expanding the railway network, which it views as essential to economic growth and sustainable transport.