• Algeria receives first 335 buses under 10,000-bus renewal plan

• Imports aim to modernize aging public transport fleet

• Program follows deadly accidents and tighter road safety reforms

A first shipment of 335 buses arrived in Algiers on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2026. This delivery is part of a government import plan for 10,000 buses intended to renew the national fleet used for public passenger transport. These units are part of an order for 6,800 buses purchased from China and Germany.

The purchase plan for the 10,000 buses was unveiled at the end of 2025 after repeated bus accidents that caused several deaths and injuries. This acquisition also represents a first step in a broader government program to modernize public transport and replace aging vehicles in the national fleet, which was estimated last year at approximately 84,000 buses.

The replacement program is being implemented alongside legislative reforms, including a revision of the Highway Code initiated in November 2025. The new text aims for stricter oversight of the entire road safety system, including driving schools, drivers, vehicles, and control mechanisms.

Key points include periodic and unannounced medical examinations for professional drivers and the authorization of certified agents to investigate accidents. Additionally, security forces will be equipped with technological tools such as drug testing kits and electronic payment terminals for traffic violations.

According to official data, road accidents caused more than 2,500 deaths and nearly 20,000 injuries in Algeria in 2024.

Henoc Dossa