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.

• 2024

  Passenger service with Algeria restored

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 2012

  Tunis–Borj Cedria electrification completed

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 2008

  Autorail Express diesel units introduced

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 2004

  Kalaa Seghira–M'Saaken bypass opened

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 1967

  Sfax–Gafsa railway operations transferred to SNCFT

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 1956

  SNCFT founded

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 1899

  Sfax–Métlaoui phosphate railway completed

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 1884

  Rail link with Algeria completed

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

  The northern network was connected with Algeria through Ghardimaou.

• 1877

  Construction of the northern railway begins

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

• 1872

  First Tunis–La Marsa railway inaugurated

  [1]Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org

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

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

• Passenger rail

  Intercity passenger trains

  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.

• Commuter rail

  Suburban and local rail services

  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.

• Diesel multiple-unit passenger train · 2008

  Autorail Express

  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.

• Rail freight

  Freight rail services

  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.

• Tourist heritage train

  Lézard rouge

  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.

• 2024

  Restore Tunisia–Algeria passenger operationsStrategy

  Background

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

  Action taken

  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.

  Source

• 2012

  Electrify the Tunis–Borj Cedria corridorGeneration change

  Background

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

  Action taken

  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.

  Source

• 2008

  Introduce Autorail Express trainsProduct launch

  Background

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

  Action taken

  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.

  Source

• 2004

  Open a Sousse bypass routeStrategy

  Background

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

  Action taken

  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.

  Source

1. 1Société nationale des chemins de fer tunisiensen.wikipedia.org