The delay in the start of the “Amal Way” buses in Agadir aggravates the urban transport crisis and raises the question of the authorities
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Heba Press – Abdel Latif Baraka
Urban transportation in Agadir city has become one of the pressing issues that worry citizens, especially in light of the continued population increase and rapid expansion of the city.
Despite efforts to improve this sector, the urban transport crisis remains considered one of the most important problems that Agadir residents face on a daily basis.
In this context, the “Agadir Eco-Friendly Buses” project stands out, which was supposed to significantly improve the quality of public transport in the city, but its launch was significantly delayed, further complicating the crisis.
“Amal Way” bus project
The Amal Way buses are part of a vast project as part of the urban development plan for the city of Agadir, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in February 2020.
The project aims to transform urban transport in Agadir into a modern and environmentally friendly system, using a fleet of advanced buses running on natural gas or electricity.
It was expected that these buses would make Agadir the second Moroccan city after Casablanca to have this type of transport, which would improve the quality of life in the city and reduce carbon emissions.
Reasons for the delay in launching the service
Despite the availability of the fleet allocated to the project, consisting of modern buses operating with advanced engines and designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the new buses have remained unused since their inauguration was announced last July.
The delay is due to several reasons, including logistical difficulties in providing the proper infrastructure to operate these buses, such as dedicated bus lanes, which remain mostly empty throughout the day.
In addition, there is a delay in some procedures related to contracting with companies specializing in the operation of these buses, which prevents their launch on time.
Citizen concerns and impact of the delay on the city
The delayed departure of the buses sparked concern among citizens, who began to question the project’s ability to overcome the problems encountered in other Moroccan cities, such as Marrakech, which faced similar difficulties in operating high quality buses.
Furthermore, this delay contributes to the exacerbation of the urban transport crisis in Agadir, whose residents suffer from severe traffic jams and limited opportunities for efficient transport.
At a time when modern buses were expected to provide regular and fast service, there is a sense of frustration among city residents due to the delay in the implementation of the project.
The project and its future dimensions
The “Amal Way” project is part of the urban development plan which extends until 2024 and aims to improve transport infrastructure in Agadir, with a view to the city hosting the World Cup. Africa 2025 and the 2030 World Cup. The project extends over 15.5 kilometers and includes 35 stops and 5 interchange hubs.
The project also aims to serve more than 105,000 people living in areas surrounding the line. But so far, the announced promises have not been kept, as the designated routes for these buses remain empty, raising questions about the reasons for the delay in actual operation.
Future challenges and proposed solutions
The delay in the project constitutes a major challenge for the authorities and elected officials, particularly given the growing demographic pressure and the strong demand for public transport. Additionally, solutions that were seen as lifelines in urban transportation, such as eco-friendly buses, have not been implemented as planned.
It is important that local authorities and relevant businesses work to accelerate the implementation of this project to ensure the provision of efficient and sustainable public transport reducing pressure on the current transport network.
Many local stakeholders are also wondering about future measures, in particular how to accelerate the rehabilitation of trails and infrastructure, as well as the allocation of the financial and technical resources necessary to ensure the smooth running of the process.
In its next phase, the project is expected to include an integration between high-quality buses and traditional buses that will travel through residential neighborhoods, which will help improve coverage and public service for citizens.
The urban transport crisis in Agadir remains one of the fundamental problems that requires radical and effective solutions. Despite the delay in the launch of the “Amal Way” bus project, hope remains that this project will be activated as soon as possible to alleviate the suffering of citizens, reduce pressure on transport infrastructure and achieve a balance between environmental development and urban development.
The rapid completion of this project will be an important step towards improving the quality of life in Agadir and realizing the vision of the city as a modern urban center, in tune with the aspirations of its inhabitants and in tune with the rapid growth she is witnessing. .
