Sfax Light Rail

The Sfax Light Rail is a major public transportation project in the metropolitan region of Sfax,¹ with a population of 500,000 inhabitants.² As part of the Grand Sfax 2030 development strategy,ⁱ the project aims to enhance the multimodal transport system, accommodate the growing mobility needs and minimize traffic and environmental impact of vehicles.³

The Sfax Light network will span 11 kilometers, with more than 50% of the routes falling within the administrative boundaries of the municipality of Sfax.⁴ The system consists of five transit lines, including two light rail lines (T1 and T2) and three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines (BH3, BH4, and BH5).⁵

Light Rail Lines

• T 1 (Al Ons – Airport line): the first and priority line for development. T1 will serve residential areas, economic zones, the city center crossing Martyrs Street, the railway station, the university district, and the Al Habib and Al Bahri districts to the southwest.⁶ It will cover 22.8 kilometers with 38 stations.⁷
• T 2 (Gremda Road Corridor): this line will connect the European district via Habib Bourguiba Avenue to the planned multimodal railway platform. It will extend 10.7 kilometers with 18 stations,⁸ linking to T1 tram line and the BRT line 3 in the west.⁹

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lines

• BRT 3: It is a priority corridor serving Taparura and Sidi Mansour, as well as the municipality of Thyna via Gabès Road. It will be a key factor in the development of the future Tapaura project. It covers 22.9 kilometers.¹⁰
• BRT 4: The line will run along Menzel Chaker road, connecting to T1, T2, and BRT 3. It will cover 6 kilometers with 10 stations.¹¹
• BRT 5: Cross Mahdia road, this line will link T2 and BRT 3, with a downtown terminal at the multimodal platform (future SNCFT railway station). It will cover 7.5 kilometers with includes 14 stations.¹²

The project also features a multimodal hub and 12 park-and-ride lots, with each lot offering between 100 and 200 parking spaces, depending on the location.¹³

The project will be implemented in four phases:¹⁴

• Phase 1 (2022): Construction of the first segment of T1, extending 13.5 kilometers to Chihiya, with an estimated cost of $218 million.¹⁵
• Phase 2 (2024): Development of T2, covering the city center and extending along Gremda Road, to the north of the ring road.¹⁶
• Phase 3 (2026): Extension of T1 northward, based on the growth of the El Ons district.¹⁷
• Phase 4 (2030): Further extension of T2 and the construction of BRT lines, prioritized according to urban expansion.¹⁸

The project was initiated and will be developed by SMLS – Société du Métro Léger de Sfax,¹⁹ a public transport company created in 2015 to develop the public transport network in the city.²⁰ Between 2011 and 2013, the French company Egis, in collaboration with the local company I2E, carried out the feasibility study for the transport network. The initial and comprehensive design studies for line T1 of the project were undertaken by SYSTRA alongside the local consulting firm STUDI International. The funding for both sets of studies was provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB).²¹
The total cost of the project is estimated at $882 million.²² It will be co-funded by the State and private financing companies in the form of loans.²³