[6] The first phase of Line 1, "Haï el Badr"–"Tafourah-Central Post Office", which had a length of 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) and comprised 10 stations, opened for public service on 1 November 2011.

Authorities discussed the possibility of folding the subway development programme into other mass-transit projects but eventually decided to continue with the original Metro program, albeit slowly.

In 2003, benefiting from the return of economic stability and improved security, the government increased funding and introduced a new organisational and operational structure.

Vinci was responsible for civil engineering, and the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) was to deliver a new set of rolling stock, including 14 trains of 6 cars each.

[10] With a length of 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi), the first section of Line 1 to open included ten stations, connecting Tafourah–Grande Poste to Haï El Badr.

[citation needed] Invitations to tender were launched for the construction of a 4 km (2.5 mi) section between Bachdjarrah and El Harrach composed of 4 stations and one viaduct 250 m (820 ft) above the access road to the Ouchaïah Wadi motorway.