Casablanca: This is yet another illustration of the Royal Vision for sustainable mobility and the Sovereign’s desire to provide the Kingdom’s economic capital and its region with new-generation rail infrastructure that meets the expectations of its inhabitants. These commuter metropolitan trains, scheduled to be operational by 2030, are a genuine response to the challenges of urban mobility within this metropolis and offer several advantages in terms of punctuality, quality of service, and sustainability.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, providing a frequency of up to one train every 7.5 minutes, this service will be developed on three lines: Line 1 connecting the Hassan II Grand Stadium in Benslimane to Mohammed V International Airport; Line 2 between the Hassan II Grand Stadium and Casa-Port station; and Line 3 between Casa-Port station and Mohammed V International Airport.
These three lines, covering a total of 92 km, will provide efficient connections between the main urban and suburban centers of Casablanca and its region, while ensuring access to strategic sites such as the Hassan II Grand Stadium and Mohammed V International Airport.
In this context, 10 new stations are set to be developed according to a harmonious and smooth architectural scheme guaranteeing comfort, accessibility, and efficiency for travelers. These are Mohammedia – Faculties, Zenata, Sidi Bernoussi, Ain SebSa, Hay Mohammadi, Ville Nouvelle, Mers Sultan, Oasis, Sidi MaSrouf, and Nouaceur.
The existing stations will also be modernized to fully integrate the metropolitan commuter train. Once the commuter trains are in service, 150,000 passengers will be transported daily on the three lines.
This transport service will have a significant impact on mobility and the environment. From the start of the operational phase, it will transport 35 million passengers and prevent the emission of 100,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year.
In addition to the three commuter metropolitan train lines, an airport express service will connect Casa-Port station directly to Mohammed V International Airport with shuttles running every 15 minutes. Similarly, the regional train service will be reinforced on the El Jadida and Settat lines with shuttles running every half hour.
To meet regional and local mobility needs, there are plans to acquire 48 railcars with a capacity of over 1,000 seats and a speed of 160 km/h at a cost of MAD 7 billion (excluding tax), reflecting the desire to create an efficient local rail network that is fully adapted to the changing needs of passengers.
This new service, which is part of an integrated strategy to develop the national rail network, is in addition to the many projects already launched, under the impetus of His Majesty the King, with a view to improving citizens’ quality of life and providing them with safe, accessible, and sustainable transport services.