Metro System Finally Opens in Algeria's Capital

By: Alex Nunez

Twenty-eight years ago construction began on a metro system for Algiers, Algeria, and today it was finally opened. There was a ceremony where the President of Algeria, President Abdelaziz, used the brand new metro for the first time along with many eager residents. The metro runs on 6.5 km of track and has 10 stops that connect Algiers' Central Post Office with the suburb of Kouba. The building cost of the metro was about 1.2 billion USD. The cost of a single ride is $ 0.67, which most Algerians say is too high. Originally, construction began in the early 1980's but was halted when oil and gas demand collapsed and the Algeria economy went with it. Then in the 1990's the country descended into violence which further thwarted the completion of the construction of the metro. This was certainly an exciting Halloween treat for many of the residents of Algiers.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15532117