Environmentally friendly and accessible Alstom Citadis trams have begun service in Sidi Bel Abbes, Alstom.

The Minister of Transport and Public Works Abdelghani Zaalane, Entreprise de Métro d’Alger CEO Aomar Hadbi and Algeria Alstom President Henri Bussery were present when the first tram rolled out for its inaugural run.

The city awarded Alstom the contract for 30 Citadis trams in 2013, each with seven modules that can transport 302 passengers. The low-floor design allows easy access for mobility-impaired passengers to enter and exit the trams.

The comfortable, air-conditioned trams provide room for strollers and wheelchairs. Surveillance cameras provide security for passengers as they traverse the city.

"With Sidi Bel Abbes, we are pursuing our partnership with Algeria to provide its inhabitants with the most environmentally friendly, comfortable transport system in existence: the tram," Bussery said. "To date, the cities of Algeria have ordered 128 Citadis tram units to meet the mobility needs of passengers."

Alstom employs more than 300 employees in Algeria. In addition to its contract for the Citadi trams, it was awarded a contract to supply 17 Cordia Polyvlent intercity trains by the Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires, Algeria's national railway operator.