Algeria received its first shipment of 335 buses on Sunday, marking the initial phase of a government plan to renew the country’s aging public transport fleet. The delivery is part of a broader program to import 10,000 buses, including 6,800 units purchased from China and Germany, aimed at modernizing passenger transport nationwide.
The bus renewal initiative was announced in late 2025 following a series of deadly accidents that drew attention to the deteriorating condition of Algeria’s public transport vehicles. Authorities said the program represents a key step in replacing old buses within the national fleet, which was estimated at around 84,000 vehicles last year.
“The arrival of these buses marks the beginning of a transformative effort to enhance public transport safety, reliability, and efficiency in Algeria,” said a government transport official. “Our goal is to ensure that citizens have access to modern, safe, and environmentally sound vehicles.”
The replacement program coincides with a set of legislative reforms, including a revision of the Highway Code introduced in November 2025. The new regulations aim to strengthen road safety oversight, covering driving schools, drivers, vehicles, and enforcement mechanisms. Key provisions include periodic and unannounced medical examinations for professional drivers and the authorization of certified agents to investigate traffic accidents.
Security forces are also being equipped with modern tools, including drug testing kits and electronic payment systems for traffic violations, to improve compliance and reduce accidents on national roads. Authorities have emphasized that the fleet upgrade and legal reforms are mutually reinforcing measures designed to tackle persistent road safety challenges.
Road accidents remain a major concern in Algeria. Official statistics show that in 2024 alone, traffic incidents caused more than 2,500 deaths and nearly 20,000 injuries. Analysts say that aging public transport vehicles, combined with limited safety oversight, have been key contributors to these figures.
The imported buses are expected to gradually replace older models, providing safer, more reliable transport for commuters and reducing mechanical failures linked to aging vehicles. The government has also highlighted environmental benefits, noting that newer buses produce lower emissions and are better suited to modern urban infrastructure.
The 10,000-bus program forms part of a multi-year strategy to modernize Algeria’s public transport system. While the initial 335 buses have arrived in Algiers, further shipments are planned across the country, with priority given to regions with high commuter traffic and frequent accidents.
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Transport officials said the acquisition plan also reflects Algeria’s broader economic partnerships with China and Germany, as both countries are supplying vehicles equipped with modern safety and operational technologies.
Experts say that combining fleet modernization with regulatory reforms is crucial to reducing road fatalities and injuries. “Simply buying new buses is not enough,” said a road safety analyst in Algiers. “The integration of stricter driver monitoring, enhanced enforcement, and technological tools will determine whether these measures succeed in improving overall road safety.”
The bus renewal program and accompanying legislative reforms signal Algeria’s determination to address long-standing transport safety issues and modernize its public transport infrastructure. Authorities hope that, over time, the combined measures will reduce accidents, protect commuters, and restore confidence in the country’s public transport system.
