Approximately 70% of passenger transport companies in Tunisia are publicly owned. This sector is subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, which aims to regulate and secure the country's transportation networks and ensure their proper operation as a guarantor of economic and social development. This sector consists primarily of three main areas: land transport, maritime transport, and air transport. Therefore, in this article, we will learn about the best passenger transport companies in Tunisia.
Passenger transport companies in Tunisia
The best passenger transport companies in Tunisia are:
1. National Intercity Transport Company
The National Transport Company is one of the best passenger transport companies in Tunisia. It is a Tunisian public company that transports passengers between Tunisian and Maghreb cities. It was established on October 21, 1981, under the name of the National Transport Company for Rural and Intercity Transport, following the division of the National Transport Company.
2. Tunisian National Railway Company
The Tunisian National Railway Company is the public company responsible for managing and operating railways in Tunisia, and is one of the leading passenger transport companies in Tunisia.
3. Tunisian Navigation Company
The Tunisian Maritime Transport and Navigation Company is a Tunisian company specializing in maritime transport. This company ensures permanent and regular connections with Marseille (France) and Genoa (Italy) for goods and passengers, and with Barcelona (Spain) and Livorno (Italy) for goods only.
4. Regional Transport Company of Gafsa
The Regional Transport Company of Gafsa is a Tunisian public company responsible for public bus transportation in the governorates of Gafsa and Sidi Bouzid, and between these governorates and others.
5. Regional Transport Company of Gabes
The Regional Transport Company of Gabes is a Tunisian public company that provides public bus transportation in the governorates of Gabes and Kebili, as well as between these governorates and other governorates.
6. Regional Transport Company of Medenine
The Medenine Regional Transport Company is a Tunisian public company that handles bus and public vehicle transportation within the Medenine Governorate and between it and other governorates.
7. Regional Transport Company of El Kef
The Regional Transport Company of Kef is a Tunisian public company that handles public bus transportation within the governorates of Kef and Siliana, and between them and other governorates.
8. Regional Transport Company of Kairouan
The Regional Transport Company of Kairouan is a Tunisian public company responsible for public bus transportation in the Kairouan Governorate and between it and other provinces. It is considered one of the best passenger transport companies in Tunisia.
9. Urban Transport Company of Tunis
The Tunisian Urban Transport Company is a private passenger transport company offering tours in and around the city of Tunis.
10. Transport Company of Tunisia
The Tunisian Transport Company (abbreviated to TRT) is the state-owned company responsible for public transport in Greater Tunis.
Passenger transport methods in Tunisia
There are several methods of transporting passengers in Tunisia, including the following:
1. Land transport
Land passenger transport methods in Tunisia are as follows:
- railway transport
Most Tunisian railways date back to the French colonial period and have since gained independence. Successive governments have modernized this sector since 2008. Tunisia has a railway network of 2,165 km, including a line connecting it to Algeria, called the Ghardaia-Souk Ahras line.
The Tunisian Railway Company handles the transportation of passengers and goods by rail. The company also operates an electrified coastal railway line connecting Sousse, Bab Jedid, and Mahdia via Monastir, known as the Coastal Metro.
2. Road transport
Road transportation methods are represented by the following:
3. Road network
In 2010, Tunisia had 19,418 km of roads, and in the same year, 14,756 km² were paved, including 357 highways – divided into state roads (formerly known as “Grand Parcourt” or GP) and regional roads (formerly known as “Intermediate Connectivity” or MC).
Tunisia's road network is well connected compared to its modest railway network. Construction of paved roads began, mostly in the 1880s after the establishment of the French protectorate in Tunisia. Within a decade, 560 kilometers had been built, along with railway lines.
4. Buses
Urban transport is managed by several regional transport companies, and intercity traffic is traffic on routes that exceed the urban and regional traffic limits, and is therefore provided by public operators such as the National Intercity Carrier (SNTRI) and twelve regional transport companies.
In 2013, there were 4 private urban and extra-urban transport companies operating in the Tunis region:
- Passenger Transport Company (TCV)
- Urban Transport Company of Tunisia (TUT)
- Public Transport Company (STC)
- Urban and Suburban Transport Company (TUS)
5. Maritime transport
Maritime transport in Tunisia is represented by the following:
6. Commercial ports
- Bizerte Port: It is the Tunisian company's refinery for most refining industries.
- La Goulette Port: For cruise ships.
- Rades Port: Includes roll-on/roll-off ships in addition to container ships.
- Port of Sousse: Various goods.
- Port of Sfax: Various goods.
- Port of Sakhira: Petrochemicals.
- Port of Gabes: mainly chemical carriers.
- Port of Zarzis: Various goods.
7. Maritime navigation
One of the companies specializing in the transport of people and goods in Tunisia is the Tunisian Navigation Company, which currently owns four commercial vessels, two passenger vessels, and seven old, abandoned vessels.
8. Air transport
Air transport methods in Tunisia are as follows:
9. Airports
Tunisia had 29 airports in 2013, including 8 international airports, 6 airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority, and 2 airports operated by a private company:
- Djerba-Zarzis International Airport.
- Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport
- Gafsa Ksar International Airport.
- Habib Bourguiba International Airport
- Sfax Thyna International Airport.
- Tabarka Ain Draham International Airport.
- Tozeur-Nefta International Airport.
- Tunis Carthage International Airport.
- 4 Airports: Longer than 3,047 meters.
- 6 airports: within 2,438 and 3,047 metres.
- 2 Airports: Containing between 1,524 and 2,437 meters.
- 3 Airports: Reach between 914 and 1,523 meters.
- One airport between 1,524 and 2,437 meters.
- 5 airports: within 914 and 523 meters.
- 6 airports: less than 914 meters.
Transportation problems In Tunisia
Tunisia faces some problems in the transportation sector, some of which include the following challenges:
- 1. Traffic congestion: Tunisian cities, especially the capital, Tunis, suffer from traffic congestion, which affects the speed and efficiency of transportation.
- 2. Weak infrastructure: Tunisia faces challenges in developing and maintaining its transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, ports, and airports, which impacts the efficiency and safety of transportation.
- 3. Lack of investment in public transportation: Public transportation in Tunisia suffers from a lack of funding and investment to improve bus, tram, and train services, which affects the availability, quality, and cost of public transportation for citizens.
- 4. Lack of logistics services: The logistics sector in Tunisia faces challenges in organizing and improving shipping, warehousing, and distribution services, impacting the efficiency of supply chains and transportation costs for companies.
- 5. Freight transport: The freight transport sector in Tunisia faces numerous challenges, such as a lack of adequate infrastructure and complex customs procedures, which impact the cost, speed, and safety of freight transport.
Shipping companies in Tunisia
There are several shipping companies operating in the field of freight transportation and international and domestic shipping. Among these companies are:
- Tunisian Post: Tunisian Post is the official postal and shipping company in Tunisia, providing domestic and international shipping services for goods and parcels.
- Aramex: An international shipping company operating in Tunisia, providing express and international shipping services to businesses and individuals.
- DHL: A global shipping and logistics company, providing international and domestic parcel and freight shipping services in Tunisia.
- FedEx: An international shipping company that provides express transportation services for international and domestic shipping in Tunisia.
- APEX: An international shipping company specializing in air and sea transportation and providing freight forwarding services in Tunisia.
- Tunisair: A Tunisian air and sea freight company providing international and domestic freight services for large cargoes and shipments.
Heavy transport companies in Tunisia
There are many heavy transport companies in Tunisia. Here are some well-known companies in this field:
- Tunisian Transport Company: The Tunisian Transport Company is a leading heavy transport company in Tunisia. The company offers comprehensive heavy transport services using modern trucks and equipment.
- Tunisia Transport Company: The company provides heavy transport services in Tunisia and operates in the field of transporting large and heavy goods in a professional and efficient manner.
- Arab Tunisian Transport Company: The company provides heavy transport services in Tunisia and relies on a fleet of trucks and advanced equipment to ensure safe and smooth transport operations.
- Tunisian Passenger Transport Company: Although primarily focused on passenger transport, it also provides heavy transport services in Tunisia. The company works to meet customers' needs for the safe and efficient transportation of large and heavy goods.
Tunisian companies
Tunisia has one public and national airline, in addition to two private airlines:
1. Tunisair
The first public, state-owned airline was established in 1948. Tunisair Express is a subsidiary of Tunisair and operates exclusively within and around Tunisia. It was established in 1991.
2. New Air Tunisia
The first private airline to serve international routes was established in 1989. Carthage Airlines was established as a private company in 2001 and merged in 2008 with New Airlines.
3. Syphax Airlines
Founded in 2011 after the Tunisian revolution, the privately held airline operates internationally and is the first Tunisian airline to offer direct long-haul flights to Canada.
4. Jasmine Airlines
Founded in 2019, the privately held company operates internationally and is a short-haul charter company.
At the end of our article on passenger transport companies in Tunisia, we discussed the best passenger transport companies in Tunisia, as well as passenger transport methods in Tunisia.
English 
Arabic