French consortium to build funicular urban transport in Algeria

French funicular railway group POMA has formed a joint venture between Algiers metro company Entreprise du Métro d’Alger (EMA), and the Algiers urban and suburban transport company Entreprise de Transport Urbain et Suburbain d’Alger (ETUSA). The new company, Entreprise de Transport Algérien par Câbles (ETAC) will design, develop and construct the urban ropeway transportation network in Algeria. Algeria is the largest country in Africa, with a population of 39.21 million. It is also the country with the m
December 5, 2014
French funicular railway group POMA has formed a joint venture between Algiers metro company Entreprise du Métro d’Alger (EMA), and the Algiers urban and suburban transport company Entreprise de Transport Urbain et Suburbain d’Alger (ETUSA). The new company, Entreprise de Transport Algérien par Câbles (ETAC) will design, develop and construct the urban ropeway transportation network in Algeria.

Algeria is the largest country in Africa, with a population of 39.21 million. It is also the country with the most urban ropeway, or funicular railway, installations in the world, with installations operating in cities including Algiers, Bilda, Constantine, Oran and Tlemcen.

Since 2009, the Algerian government has actively focused on developing modern transportation infrastructures, specifically ropeway systems, which have been found to be the best answer to the varied topography of Algerian cities and metropolises, which are often set between wide-spread valleys and hills.

"The POMA group is very proud to begin this long-term partnership in Algeria, and is excited to participate in developing ropeway infrastructures that will increase mobility throughout the country. Ropeway transportation has become the solution to the urban mobility conundrum. It is a safe and green mode of transportation that exemplifies sustainable development and intermodality," says Jean Souchal, POMA chairman.