Train Express Régional Dakar
Rail line in Senegal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Train Express Régional (TER) is an airport rail link in Senegal that connects Dakar with Diamniadio. It is also planned to serve Blaise Diagne International Airport by the first half of 2026.
| Train Express Régional | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Logo of the TER system | |||
 The TER in Dakar station | |||
| Overview | |||
| Locale | Dakar, Senegal | ||
| Transit type | Commuter rail, airport rail link | ||
| Number of lines | 1 | ||
| Number of stations | 14 | ||
| Daily ridership | 50,000 (average), as of 2022[1] | ||
| Website | https://www.terdakar.sn/ | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | 27 December 2021 (Phase 1) | ||
| Operation will start | 2026 (Phase 2) | ||
| Operator(s) | SETER | ||
| Number of vehicles | 15 | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 55 km (34 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line | ||
| Top speed | 160 km/h (100 mph) | ||
| |||
History
Construction on the TER began in the third quarter of 2016 and started operation in 2021.[2]
The line is being built in two stages, with the first covering 36 km (22 mi) from the city of Dakar to Diamniadio, and the second stage covering 19 km (12 mi) more to the airport.[3]
For phase 1, Engie and Thales were responsible for rail systems, while Eiffage, Yapi Merkezi and La compagnie Sahélienne d'Entreprise (CSE Group) was responsible for construction.[4] Station works were contracted to Eiffage, SERTEM, and the CSE group.[5] Project management was provided by Systra.[4]
The first phase of the line was originally inaugurated on 14 January 2019, but actual service did not start until more than two years later.[6] The early inauguration was reported to be a political maneuver by President Macky Sall to draw attention to his accomplishments in the lead-up to his re-election.[7] For the first phase, Alstom was awarded a contract to provide 15 Coradia Polyvalent trains, built at its former Reichshoffen site in December 2016.[8] Regular passenger service running the 13 stations from Dakar to Diamniadio began on 27 December 2021.[9]
The line will be extended by 19 km between Diamniadio and Blaise Diagne International Airport, with work having started on 5 March 2022. It will have connections to the terminals through a tunnel.[4] Civil works will be undertaken by a consortium of Eiffage, Yapi Merkezi and the CSE Group. Infrastructure and project management will be managed by Setec, while rail systems will be covered by Engie and Thales.[10] 7 additional trains were ordered from the manufacturer CAF (who acquired the Coradia Polyvalent platform from Alstom, following Alstom's acquisition of Bombardier Transportation in 2022) in 2023 for operation on phase 2. The first of these trains arrived in Dakar in October 2024.[11][12] Phase 2 is expected to start operations in the first half of 2026.[13]
Future expansion of the TER service may include services to Thiès and M’bour.[10]
Infrastructure
The line uses ETCS Level 2 signalling and GSM-R for communications.[10]
The stations include Dakar, Colobanne, Hann, Dalifort, Baux-Maraîchers, Pikine, Thiaroye, Yeumbeul, M'Bao Keur Massar, Rufisque, PNR, Bargny, and Diamniadio (for the national stadium), with Blaise Diagne International Airport planned for phase 2.[14]
It has an infrastructure maintenance site in Rufisque, and a train maintenance site in Colobane. It has a provision for the installation of 4 future tracks.[4]
Rolling stock
15 four-car Coradia Polyvalent trainsets are currently used on the service[15] The trainsets are mainline dual-mode trains (diesel and electric 25 kV) capable of running at speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph). Each trainset is 72 metres (236 ft 3 in) long with four cars and has a capacity for 531 passengers in two classes (first and second).[16]
Operation
The line is operated by SETER, which employs 950 people.[17] SETER is a subsidiary of the SNCF group, in which the Senegalese state took a 34% stake in 2023.[10]
The service runs from 5:35am to 10:05pm, with a train approximately every 10 minutes (reducing to every 20 minutes after 9:05pm). On Sundays and public holidays, a reduced service is used (a train every 20 minutes from 6:25am to 10:05pm). Trains serve all stations along the route and complete the 36 km Dakar-Diamniadio service in 46 minutes.[18]
Fares
The line is divided into three fare zones, with zone 1 from Dakar to Thiaroye, zone 2 from Thiaroye to Bargny and zone 3 from Bargny to Diamniadio.[19] A trip on the system is determined by how many fare zones are crossed.[20]
- One zone: 500 francs
- Two zones: 1000 francs
- Three zones: 1500 francs
- First class travel (regardless of the zone): 2500 CFA francs
Travel is free for all children under 4 years old. Weekly, monthly, children's and youth discounts are also offered.[19]