TESTING has commenced on the initial 12.2km section of Line D of the Greater Tunis Rapid Rail Network (TFR) in the Tunisian capital. The tests are due to last around 10 days with the line expected to open by the end of January, according to Lotfi Chouba, CEO of RFR Tunis.
The line runs from Tunis Central west to Gobâa and shares tracks with TFR Line E as well as the existing main line.
Line E opened in April 2023 and shares infrastructure with Line D for the first 2.3km up to Sayda Al Manoubia station, where Line E diverges west. Seven new stations have been built on the 9.9km section of main line beyond Sayda Al Manoubia at Melassine, Erraoudha, Bardo, Bortal, Manouba, Cité Les Orangers and Gobâa. Beyond Gobâa the main line continues west to the Algerian border. Tri-weekly passenger services resumed between the two countries for the first time in 30 years in August.
Work is progressing to extend Line D north from Gobâa to Mnihla. This will require the construction of a tunnelled section and Chouba says that work will begin as soon as Line D is operational. Utility diversion agreements have already been signed for the project, he says.
Plans for Tunis’ five-line, 85km commuter network were unveiled as long ago as 2007. Tunisian National Railways (SNTF) awarded Hyundai Rotem a Dinars 416m ($US 130m) contract to supply 28 four-car EMUs for TFR in October 2018.
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