In 2008, two Algerian cities -- Skikda and Tlemcen -- added cable-propelled gondolas to their public
transport networks. Located on the Algerian coast, Skikda has a population of around 170,000 inhabitants. Just 800km away, with a population of 130,000, Tlemcen is situated amid the Tell Atlas Mountains, in the heart of the Berber region. While both cities have recently experienced rapid growth, their high population concentrations, dense built forms and narrow, winding streets made public transport by bus or streetcar difficult.
Urban gondolas therefore offered a much more practical alternative. With faster implementation schedules and considerably smaller space requirements, ropeways worked from both a political and fiscal standpoint.
Doppelmayr / Garaventa acted as general contractor but the construction was contracted out to Algerian companies and the stations designed locally by Algerian architects.

Acting as feeder lines that bring passengers from residential areas to the city center and other commercial areas, both systems are very similar. The Tlemcen line also provides access to a local recreation area. Technically, the gondolas differ only in terms of turns and mid station layout.
The rapid and wide acceptance of the gondolas can be explained by the high traffic volumes and jams
which characterized the cities prior to installation.
After installation, people quickly realized how ropeways offered a transport solution free from the chaos
of the road network below.
In terms of rider comfort, the gondola systems are able to deal with the large temperature influxes between night and day, while the cabins also offer protection from sand and dust. Riders also enjoy the
upgraded PA system which offers background music during the journey. Since the original equipment was not designed for this purpose, cabins were retrofitted with solar panels and batteries, which are recharged overnight in the stations.