The Algerian national railway company, SNTF, has introduced a special train service called "Train en mer" to facilitate travel from inland cities to Bejaia, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and 110-kilometer-long coastline. This initiative aims to encourage summer tourism in the region. The train service connects cities such as Setif, Bordj Bou Arreridj, and M'Sila to Bejaia.
The "Train en mer" service operates daily and will run until the end of the summer season. According to a SNTF official, the train departs from Setif at 6:00 AM, arriving in Bejaia at 9:50 AM, with a stop in Bordj Bou Arreridj. The return journey from Bejaia is scheduled for 6:40 PM, arriving in Setif at 10:30 PM. This convenient schedule allows tourists to spend the day in Bejaia and return home in the evening.
The special train service will cover around twenty railway stations, providing an affordable transportation option for tourists. The fare for the journey is 245 Algerian dinars, making it an attractive choice for visitors from the Hauts-Plateaux region. By offering this service, SNTF aims to reduce traffic congestion on the RN9 highway, which connects Bejaia to Setif and experiences heavy traffic during the summer season.
The launch of the "Train en mer" service is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the RN9 highway, which sees a daily traffic volume of over 22,000 vehicles, with peaks of 30,000 vehicles per day during the summer. By providing an efficient and affordable transportation option, SNTF hopes to encourage more tourists to visit Bejaia's coastal region.
In addition to the train service, Bejaia's maritime connection to Algiers, which was suspended last year due to low profitability, has not yet resumed. The maritime line, inaugurated in October 2015, is operated by the "Séraïdi" ship, which can accommodate 206 passengers and takes approximately four hours to complete the journey between Algiers and Bejaia.
The "Séraïdi" ship, measuring 38 meters in length and 7 meters in width, makes a 15-minute stop at the Azzefoune port in Tizi-Ouzou province during its journey. Although the maritime service has not resumed, the "Train en mer" service is expected to meet the transportation needs of tourists traveling to Bejaia's coastal region.
The "Train en mer" service is a collaborative effort between SNTF and local authorities to promote summer tourism in Bejaia. With its convenient schedule and affordable fares, the train service is expected to attract a large number of tourists from inland cities, contributing to the local economy and promoting the region's tourism industry.
Key points
- The "Train en mer" service connects inland cities to Bejaia's coastal region, promoting summer tourism and reducing traffic congestion on the RN9 highway.
