The first bimodal CAF trainset for Phase II of Senegal's Regional Express Train (Train Express Régional, TER) project has arrived in Dakar, intended for the extension of the rail line from the capital to Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD).
The TER project is a 55-kilometer line, linking Dakar city centre to AIBD via Diamniadio. Designed to transport up to 113,000 passengers daily. Implementation is divided into two phases: the first covers the 36 km stretch from Dakar to Diamniadio, and the second extends 19 km to the airport.
Phase I has been operational since December 2021, featuring 15 trains running between Dakar and Diamniadio with a frequency of every 10 minutes. This phase has already served over 60 million passengers. To support the extension in Phase II, seven additional train sets have been ordered from CAF. The newly arrived train will be transported to the Maintenance and Storage Site in Colobane for assembly and testing.
Construction on the TER began in 2016, with the first phase inaugurated in December 2021. The second phase is expected to become operational in the second half of 2025. The rolling stock comprises 15 four-car Coradia Polyvalent trainsets, capable of speeds up to 160 km/h. These dual-mode trains operate on diesel and 25 kV electric power, catering to both first and second-class passengers.
The TER line includes 14 stations, starting from Dakar and passing through locations like Diamniadio and the national stadium before reaching the airport. The project aims to significantly improve railway services between the city center and the suburbs, contributing to the region's economic growth and restructuring the urban transport system.
Subsequent train sets are scheduled to arrive monthly until March 2025, aligning with the project's timeline. The recipient is Senegal's Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Major Works (APIX), while funding is provided by the African Development Bank.
