(TAP) - Prime Minister Youssef Chahed kicked off on Saturday at the El Bokri bus warehouse the operation of 165 new buses, part of the Tunis transport company (TRANSTU)'s fleet.

He affirmed that these buses are equipped with the most modern security techniques, for citizens and drivers, and will reinforce the public transport fleet in Greater Tunis, notably in the working-class neighbourhoods in Tunis 1 and 2 and the districts of Zahrouni and Bab Saadoun.

The PM announced in a statement to the media the acquisition of 494 new buses (ordinary and mixed, equipped with security cameras) in a first stage worth 180 million dinars, as part of a transaction of over 1,000 buses to increase the public transport fleet in Greater Tunis and interior regions.

The objective is to facilitate the citizens' life and guarantee their security. Hence, the new buses will help transport more than 190 thousand additional passengers, which represents a 32% increase in seats.

He considered that the debate on the transport sector has helped take stock of the situation and make the decisions likely to improve the conditions of the citizen's transport, limit congestion and control the services' schedule in the public transport.

We are endeavouring to improve the performance of the national carrier Tunisair, by taking urgent measures to ensure its sustainability and efficiency, he recalled.

10 regular lines that had been suspended for the lack of buses were re-opened, thanks to 12 new buses carrying approximately 10,000 passengers for 120 services.