Thales Wins Algerian Ticketing Contract

Global electronics and systems company Thales has won a contract to supply a ticketing system for the first metro line in the Algerian capital, Algiers.

The contract, awarded by German transportation manufacturer Siemens Transportation Systems, incorporates a completely integrated ticketing system based on a combination of magnetic stripe and contactless ticketing technology for ten stations on the line.

Thales says it will install entry and exit control gates, ticket dispensing systems for ticket offices and automatic ticket vending machines.

The nine kilometer line, managed by metro operator Entreprise du Métro d’Alger (EMA), is the first in the country and will serve ten stations from Haï-el-badr in the east of Algiers to Tafourah Grand Poste in the city centre.

The line, scheduled to enter service in 2009, could be extended under new plans currently under review.

By staff writer