Train Express Régional Dakar

The Train Express Régional (TER)^[2] is an airport rail link in Senegal that connects Dakar with Diamniadio, as well as Blaise Diagne International Airport by the second half of 2025.^[3][4]

Train Express Régional
Logo of the TER system
The TER in Dakar station
Overview
Locale	Dakar, Senegal
Transit type	Commuter rail, airport rail link
Number of lines	1
Number of stations	14
Daily ridership	50,000 (average), as of 2022[1]
Website	https://www.terdakar.sn/
Operation
Began operation	27 December 2021 (Phase 1)
Operation will start	2025 (Phase 2)
Operator(s)	SETER
Number of vehicles	15
Technical
System length	55 km (34 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line
Top speed	160 km/h (100 mph)
System map

History

Construction on the TER began in the third quarter of 2016 and started operation in 2021.^[5]

The line is being built in two stages, with the first covering 36 km (22 mi) from the city of Dakar to Diamniadio, and the second stage covering 19 km (12 mi) more to the airport.

For phase 1, Engie and Thales were responsible for rail systems, while Eiffage, Yapi Merkezi and La compagnie Sahélienne d'Entreprise (CSE Group) was responsible for construction.^[6] Station works were contracted to Eiffage, SERTEM, and the CSE group.^[7] Project management was provided by Systra.^[6]

The first phase of the line was originally inaugurated on 14 January 2019, but actual service did not start until more than two years later.^[8] The early inauguration was reported to be a political maneuver by President Macky Sall to draw attention to his accomplishments in the lead-up to his re-election.^[9] For the first phase, Alstom was awarded a contract to provide 15 Coradia Polyvalent trains, built at its former Reichshoffen site in December 2016.^[10] Regular passenger service running the 13 stations from Dakar to Diamniadio began on 27 December 2021.^[11]

The line will be extended by 19 km between Diamniadio and Blaise Diagne International Airport, with work having started on 5 March 2022. It will have connections to the terminals through a tunnel.^[6] Civil works will be undertaken by a consortium of Eiffage, Yapi Merkezi and the CSE Group. Infrastructure and project management will be managed by Setec, while rail systems will be covered by Engie and Thales.^[12] 7 additional trains were ordered from the manufacturer CAF (who acquired the Coradia Polyvalent platform from Alstom, following the Alstom's acquisition of Bombardier Transportation in 2022) in 2023 for operation on phase 2. The first of these trains arrived in Dakar in October 2024.^[13] Phase 2 is due to start operations in 2025.

Future expansion of the TER service may include services to Thiès and M’bour.^[12]

Infrastructure

The line uses ETCS Level 2 signalling and GSM-R for communications.^[12]

The stations include Dakar, Colobanne, Hann, Dalifort, Baux-Maraîchers, Pikine, Thiaroye, Yeumbeul, M'Bao Keur Massar, Rufisque, PNR, Bargny, and Diamniadio (for the national stadium), with Blaise Diagne International Airport planned for phase 2.^[14]

Dakar railway station

It has an infrastructure maintenance site in Rufisque, and a train maintenance site in Colobane. It has a provision for the installation of 4 future tracks. ^[6]

Rolling stock

15 four-car Coradia Polyvalent trainsets are currently used on the service^[15] The trainsets are mainline dual-mode trains (diesel and electric 25 kV) capable of running at speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph). Each trainset is 72 metres (236 ft 3 in) long with four cars and has a capacity for 531 passengers in two classes (first and second).^[16]

Operation

The line is operated by SETER, which employs 950 people.^[17] Initially, a subsidiary of the SNCF group, the Senegalese state took a 34% stake of the company in 2023.^[12]

The service runs from 5:35am to 10:05pm, with a train approximately every 10 minutes (reducing to every 20 minutes after 9:05pm). On Sundays and public holidays, a reduced service is used (a train every 20 minutes from 6:25am to 10:05pm). Trains serve all stations along the route and complete the 36 km Dakar-Diamniadio service in 46 minutes.^[18]

Fares

The line is divided into three fare zones, with zone 1 from Dakar to Thiaroye, zone 2 from Thiaroye to Bargny and zone 3 from Bargny to Diamniadio.^[19] A trip on the system is determined by how many fare zones are crossed.^[20]

• One zone: 500 francs

• Two zones: 1000 francs
• Three zones: 1500 francs
• First class travel (regardless of the zone): 2500 CFA francs

Travel is free for all children under 4 years old. Weekly, monthly, children's and youth discounts are also offered.^[19]

See also

• Rail transport in Senegal
• Transport express régional