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🇹🇳 Tunisia /Economy & Trade

Tunisia inks $75 million deal with China's CRRC for 18 electric trains

From La Presse · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Tunisia's Transtu has signed a strategic agreement with China's CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd to supply 18 electric trains for the historic Tunis-Goulette-Marsa (TGM) line.
  • The 75 million euro contract, co-financed by the EBRD and EIB, includes train supply, five years of maintenance, spare parts, and specialized equipment.
  • The new trains, designed to improve passenger experience with modern amenities and increased frequency, mark the final phase of the TGM line's modernization program.

Tunisia is modernizing its urban rail transport with a significant industrial partnership with China. The Société des Transports de Tunis (Transtu) signed a strategic agreement Friday with CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd to provide 18 electric trains for the historic Tunis-Goulette-Marsa (TGM) line. This deal aims to enhance and update the TGM line, a vital artery for mobility in Greater Tunis.

The contract, valued at approximately 75 million euros, is jointly financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with each institution contributing 50%. CRRC Nanjing Puzhen, a major player in China's rail industry and a subsidiary of the CRRC group, brings its expertise in designing and manufacturing rolling stock for urban and interurban networks.

This contract marks a new stage in industrial cooperation between Tunisia and China in the field of public transport.

— Abderraouf SalahPresident-director general of Transtu, speaking at the contract signing.

Beyond supplying the new electric trainsets, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen will also be responsible for their maintenance for five years, providing necessary spare parts, and supplying specialized equipment for upkeep. The agreement includes the acquisition of a "pit lathe," an industrial tool used for reprofiling train wheels to ensure safety, reliability, and operational availability.

The new trains are designed to significantly improve the passenger experience. Each 40-meter-long train will accommodate around 400 passengers, featuring amenities like full air conditioning, video surveillance systems, real-time passenger information, and accessibility features for people with reduced mobility. With a top speed of 100 km/h, these trains will enable more frequent service, running every six minutes during peak hours and every twelve minutes off-peak, enhancing the overall efficiency of the TGM line.

Securing quality staff with proven experience has become increasingly difficult, pushing wages for the best candidates to record highs globally.

— Morgan & MalletLuxury staffing firm, commenting on the demand for household staff.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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