The dispute centres on changes introduced on 26 October, replacing traditional stops serving the university complex with bus rapid-transit services. Students say individual fares rose from 50 to 300 old ouguiyas. The ministry announced a monthly student subscription of 5,000 old ouguiyas and justified the reorganisation by growing enrolment and transport needs.
On 27 October, the democratic opposition coalition and the Tahaddi party condemned the previous day’s dispersal of protesters. Tahaddi demanded an investigation into tear gas used on campus. Students’ broader demands include scholarships, accommodation and university catering. No injury or arrest total, or government response to the opposition statements, had been announced.