Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiens

The Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiens, commonly known as SNCFT, is Tunisia's national railway company. Established on 27 December 1956 after Tunisian independence, it replaced the Compagnie fermière des chemins de fer tunisiens and progressively absorbed other railway operations whose concessions had been created during the French colonial period. The company operates under the direction of Tunisia's Ministry of Transport and is headquartered in Tunis. SNCFT provides two core services: passenger transportation and freight transportation. Its passenger network links Tunis with northern, central, western and southern parts of the country, while its freight business has historically been closely connected with Tunisia's mining and industrial economy. Phosphate and iron-ore traffic from the Gafsa and Métlaoui mining regions to processing facilities and the port of Sfax has been particularly important. The company also carries other commercial freight over its national network. A defining characteristic of SNCFT is its management of two different track gauges. The northern system is primarily standard gauge, while much of the central and southern network uses metre gauge. Reference material describes approximately 471 kilometres of standard-gauge track and approximately 1,674 kilometres of metre-gauge track, with a limited electrified portion and a small amount of dual-gauge infrastructure. This mixed-gauge legacy reflects the separate historical development of Tunisia's northern railway system and the mining-oriented southern system. Passenger products include conventional local and intercity trains, suburban services around Tunis, higher-comfort services, air-conditioned Direct Climatisé trains, Express services and Autorail Express diesel multiple units. SNCFT also operates or has operated suburban and regional services identified by line designations, including connections serving the western and southern suburbs of Tunis. The company is distinct from Société des transports de Tunis, which manages the capital's light-rail and urban transport systems, although both contribute to Tunisia's wider public transport network. SNCFT's tourist offering includes the Lézard rouge, or Red Lizard, a diesel-hauled metre-gauge excursion train running through the Seldja Gorge between Métlaoui and Seldja. The service uses a historic former beylical train and is marketed as a heritage and tourism experience rather than as an ordinary intercity service. Reports in 2025 indicated that the excursion had resumed after a period of suspension. The railway has also maintained an international connection with Algeria through Ghardimaou. Passenger service between Tunisia and Algeria was restored in August 2024, with trains operating several times per week between Tunis and Annaba. Proposed cross-border development toward Libya has included a standard-gauge connection from the Ras Jedir border area toward Gabès, but the project has faced delays and uncertainty. SNCFT is a national infrastructure and mobility institution rather than a consumer brand competing in an open passenger-rail market. Its strategic role combines public service, regional connectivity, industrial logistics, mining transport and support for tourism. The company owns a large diesel and passenger fleet, together with thousands of freight wagons, and has periodically modernised operations through new diesel multiple units, electric rolling stock and infrastructure improvements. Its ongoing challenges include maintaining a geographically extensive mixed-gauge network, balancing passenger and mining traffic, improving reliability and modernising equipment while serving national development goals.

Tunisia's railway system developed through several separate concessions and technical traditions. One of the earliest lines was the railway between Tunis and La Marsa, inaugurated on 2 August 1872. During the following decades, French-backed companies constructed a northern network centered on Tunis and extending toward Béja, Jendouba, Ghardimaou, Bizerte and other destinations. Construction of the Tunis–Jendouba route began in 1877, and the line reached Ghardimaou in 1880. The international connection with Algeria was completed in 1884. The northern network was principally standard gauge and was initially operated under concessions granted to private companies. A second railway system developed in central and southern Tunisia in response to mining and agricultural needs. Phosphate deposits discovered around Seldja led to the creation of the Compagnie des phosphates et des chemins de fer de Sfax-Gafsa. Its metre-gauge railway connected the mining region with Gafsa and the port of Sfax by 1899, and later extensions reached Tozeur and Gabès. Other metre-gauge lines connected Tunis with Sousse and served destinations in Cap Bon, Kairouan, Moknine and the interior. These lines were economically significant because they moved minerals from inland extraction areas to coastal processing and export facilities. By 1952, the Tunisian railway system included more than 2,000 kilometres of track operated by several entities. The Compagnie fermière des chemins de fer tunisiens operated much of the system with state financial support, while the Tunis–Ghardimaou route and the Sfax–Gafsa mining railway had distinct institutional histories. The TGM line and other urban or suburban services were also treated separately. Following independence in 1956, Tunisia reorganised the principal national railway operations. SNCFT was founded on 27 December 1956 and replaced the Compagnie fermière des chemins de fer tunisiens. The company became the principal state railway operator, although some lines and concessions remained outside its direct structure for a time. When the concession of the Sfax–Gafsa mining railway expired at the end of 1966, its railway operations were transferred to Tunisian Railways on 1 January 1967. This consolidation gave SNCFT responsibility for a large, technically diverse national network. The company's modern network retains the historical split between standard gauge in the north and metre gauge in much of the center and south. This arrangement allows SNCFT to serve major population centers, mining districts, ports and tourist destinations, but it also creates operational and maintenance complexity. The network has included both diesel and electric operations, with only a limited proportion electrified in the reference period. Infrastructure development continued after independence. In 2004, a line between Kalaa Seghira and M'Saaken opened, allowing Tunis–Sfax trains to bypass central Sousse. The change reduced the need for trains to run through urban streets and along the seafront at low speed, and it supported faster and more reliable intercity operation. In 2008, SNCFT received new diesel multiple-unit trains marketed as Autorail Express, used on routes including Tunis–Sousse and Tunis–Sfax as well as services toward Dahmani. Electrification work on the Tunis–Borj Cedria corridor was completed around 2012, accompanied by the introduction of Hyundai Rotem electric trains. SNCFT continues to operate passenger and freight services across Tunisia. Passenger activity includes local, suburban, regional and intercity trains, while freight remains important for phosphate, iron ore and other industrial commodities. The company has also maintained the Lézard rouge heritage train in the Seldja Gorge and has supported cross-border rail connectivity with Algeria. Passenger service through Ghardimaou was restored in August 2024. A proposed standard-gauge link from the Libyan border at Ras Jedir toward Gabès has been discussed as part of wider regional railway plans, but the project has not become an established SNCFT operating route in the available material.

1. 2024Passenger service with Algeria restored

   Rail passenger operations between Tunis and Annaba resumed via Ghardimaou in August 2024.

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2. 2012Tunis–Borj Cedria electrification completed

   Electrification was completed on the corridor and new Hyundai Rotem electric trains entered service.

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3. 2008Autorail Express diesel units introduced

   New diesel multiple units were delivered and marketed as Autorail Express for selected regional and intercity routes.

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4. 2004Kalaa Seghira–M'Saaken bypass opened

   A new section enabled Tunis–Sfax trains to bypass central Sousse and improved the intercity route's operating conditions.

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5. 1967Sfax–Gafsa railway operations transferred to SNCFT

   After the mining railway concession expired, its rail operations became part of Tunisian Railways on 1 January 1967.

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6. 1956SNCFT founded

   SNCFT was established on 27 December 1956 after Tunisian independence and replaced the Compagnie fermière des chemins de fer tunisiens.

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7. 1899Sfax–Métlaoui phosphate railway completed

   The metre-gauge railway connecting Sfax with the phosphate-producing region through Gafsa and Métlaoui was completed.

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8. 1884Rail link with Algeria completed

   The northern network was connected with Algeria through Ghardimaou.

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9. 1877Construction of the northern railway begins

   Work began on the standard-gauge route from Tunis toward Jendouba and the Algerian frontier.

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10. 1872First Tunis–La Marsa railway inaugurated

    The first railway line in Tunisia, linking Tunis with La Marsa, entered service on 2 August 1872.

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A state-owned national rail operator combining universal passenger mobility, regional connectivity, industrial freight logistics and railway infrastructure management.

• Intercity passenger trainsPassenger rail

  SNCFT operates long-distance and regional passenger trains linking Tunis with destinations including Béja, Ghardimaou, Sousse, Sfax, Gabès, Kasserine, Tozeur and other parts of Tunisia. Service classes include second class, first class and grand confort. Direct Climatisé trains provide air conditioning across their available classes, while Express services are positioned as faster, higher-comfort trains.

• Suburban and local rail servicesCommuter rail

  SNCFT provides selected suburban services around Tunis, including routes serving Radès, Hammam Lif, Borj Cédria, Erriadh, Bougatfa, Mannouba and Gobaa. These services complement the separate urban transport systems administered by Société des transports de Tunis.

• Autorail ExpressDiesel multiple-unit passenger train2008

  Introduced from 2008, Autorail Express trains are diesel multiple units used on selected Tunisian regional and intercity routes. Reference material identifies operations on Tunis–Sousse and Tunis–Sfax services, together with a daily round trip between Tunis and Dahmani.

• Freight rail servicesRail freight

  SNCFT transports industrial freight across Tunisia, with a major historic role in moving phosphate and iron ore from mining areas in the Gafsa, Métlaoui, Redeyef and Moularès regions. The Sfax–Gafsa railway connects inland mining districts with the port and industrial facilities at Sfax.

• Lézard rougeTourist heritage train

  The Lézard rouge is a diesel-hauled metre-gauge tourist train running from Métlaoui into the Seldja Gorge. It uses a former royal train associated with the Beys of Tunis, employs period-style presentation and includes scenic photo stops. The service was reported to have resumed in 2025 after a multi-year suspension.

• 2024Restore Tunisia–Algeria passenger operationsStrategy

  The historic cross-border connection through Ghardimaou had lacked regular passenger service.

  What changed. SNCFT restored passenger trains between Tunis and Annaba in August 2024, with a schedule of several departures per week.

  Aftermath. The restoration re-established a rail travel link between Tunisia and Algeria and strengthened the international role of the northern network.

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• 2012Electrify the Tunis–Borj Cedria corridorGeneration change

  SNCFT was modernising selected high-demand passenger corridors around Tunis.

  What changed. The Tunis–Borj Cedria railway line was electrified and Hyundai Rotem electric trains were introduced.

  Aftermath. The corridor gained modern electric rolling stock and became part of SNCFT's limited electrified network.

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• 2008Introduce Autorail Express trainsProduct launch

  SNCFT sought to renew passenger equipment for regional and intercity routes.

  What changed. The company took delivery of new diesel multiple-unit trains and marketed them as Autorail Express.

  Aftermath. The units were assigned to routes including Tunis–Sousse, Tunis–Sfax and Tunis–Dahmani.

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• 2004Open a Sousse bypass routeStrategy

  Intercity trains on the Tunis–Sfax corridor had previously passed through central Sousse and along the seafront at low speed.

  What changed. SNCFT opened the Kalaa Seghira–M'Saaken section, allowing through services to avoid central Sousse.

  Aftermath. The new alignment supported faster and more punctual operation on the Tunis–Sfax corridor.

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• 2025Lézard rouge tourist train reported to resume service

  The historic Lézard rouge excursion through the Seldja Gorge was reported to have resumed after being suspended for several years.

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• 2024Tunisia–Algeria passenger rail service restored

  Passenger trains between Tunis and Annaba resumed in August 2024 through the Ghardimaou border connection. The published operating pattern called for several departures per week in each direction.

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• 2012Electrification and new electric trains introduced on the Tunis–Borj Cedria corridor

  Electrification of the Tunis–Borj Cedria railway line was completed and modern Hyundai Rotem electric trains were introduced for services on the corridor.

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1. Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiens