A report on Algerian news website Tout l'Algérie on August 19 quoted SNTF director general Mr Yacine Benbjaballah as saying that the trains will be used on services from Algiers to Oran, Annaba, Constantine, and Bechar.

Alstom told IRJ that the trains will be based on its Coradia Polyvalent product platform and it hopes to sign the contract with SNTF by the end of the year.

The trains are likely to be similar to the fleet of 34 Coradia Liner EMUs ordered by French National Railways (SNCF) last year for long-distance services.