Construction on the TER began in the third quarter of 2016 and is expected to be fully completed at the end of 2023.[5] It was built by French companies Engie and Thales Group. The contract is valued at €2 billion.
The line is being built in two stages, with the first covering 36 km (22 mi) from the city of Dakar to Diamniadio, and the second stage covering 19 km (12 mi) more to the airport.
The first phase of the line was originally inaugurated on 14 January 2019, but actual service did not start until more than two years later.[6] The early inauguration was a political maneuver by President Macky Sall to draw attention to his accomplishments in the lead-up to his re-election.[7] Regular passenger service running the 13 stations from Dakar to Diamniadio began on 27 December 2021.[8] Construction is ongoing on the second phase as of August 2023.
Before opening, protests were held by some Dakar citizens who felt they had not been sufficiently compensated by the government after their homes and businesses were demolished during the line's construction.[citation needed]
15 four-car Coradia Polyvalent trainsets[10] The trainsets are mainline dual-mode trains (diesel and electric 25 kV) capable of running at speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph). Each trainset is 72 metres (236 ft 3 in) long with four cars and has a capacity for 531 passengers in two classes (first and second).[11]
