King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, presided today, Wednesday, in the Hay Hassani district of Casablanca, over the launch of major structuring rail projects that will significantly impact transportation within Greater Casablanca, with a value of 20 billion dirhams.
These structuring projects, which respond to the future challenges of urban mobility in this metropolis, are part of a comprehensive program with an allocated budget of 96 billion dirhams. This program aims, in particular, to support the steady growth of the rail sector. This includes the completion of the high-speed rail line connecting Kenitra and Marrakech (430 kilometers), launched by His Majesty last April. It also encompasses developing regional links between Kenitra and Casablanca, improving travel conditions across various urban areas of Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, and developing a new national rail industry system.
This integrated program reflects His Majesty the King’s enlightened vision to improve the national rail offering and is in line with the Kingdom’s strategic orientations under His Majesty’s leadership in the field of sustainable development, particularly the development of low-carbon public transport solutions.
These projects, 70 percent funded by the National Office of Railways (ONCF) and 30 percent by the region, include the construction of three new-generation main train stations, the creation of ten new stations for urban commuter trains, the rehabilitation and adaptation of five stations dedicated to commuter trains, the laying of 260 kilometers of new railway lines, the construction and expansion of 50 engineering structures, the creation of two technical centers (Zenata and Nouaceur) and five maintenance workshops, along with the acquisition of 48 new trains for commuter and regional transport services.
These facilities also aim to develop a sustainable regional transport system, enhance daily passenger mobility, contribute to socio-economic development and urban rehabilitation, and support national objectives by 2030.
Regarding the three major new-generation main stations, they are integrated and efficient structures serving better territorial connectivity. This includes the “Casablanca-South” station, whose construction works were launched today by His Majesty the King in the Hay Hassani district. This project, with investments of 700 million dirhams, involves the construction of a new building equipped with advanced technological equipment that meets international standards for safety, security, and service quality.
The future “Casablanca-South” station, with an annual capacity of 12 million passengers, will include six platforms and ten railway lines to accommodate high-speed Al Boraq trains, major lines, urban commuter trains, regional trains, and the Aero-Express train that will connect to Mohammed V Airport from Casablanca-Port station every 15 minutes. It will also feature 20,000 square meters of outdoor facilities and a parking lot for 700 cars. Designed to accommodate increasing passenger flows and stimulate the emergence of a dynamic business district, the “Casablanca-South” station will allow seamless connections via the tramway, high-service buses, and taxis, making it a strategic multimodal hub.
The second new-generation station is the Grand Stade Hassan II station in Benslimane, with investments of approximately 450 million dirhams. During operation, it will be able to accommodate up to 12 million passengers annually. Also included is a new station at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, requiring a total budget of 300 million dirhams and a capacity of 5 million passengers per year. These three major new-generation stations will be completed within 24 months.
Regarding urban commuter train stations, they will enhance mobility in Casablanca through a new commuter rail service, which will begin operating by 2030, allowing for a frequency of one train every 7.5 minutes. Three main lines spanning 92 km will be developed, providing efficient connections between major urban and peri-urban centers, with access to strategic sites such as the Grand Stade Hassan II and Mohammed V International Airport. Ten new stations will be developed within 20 months, with a budget of 625 million dirhams, according to a harmonious and flexible architectural charter that ensures passenger comfort, ease of access, and efficiency. These include Mohammédia-Collèges, Zenata, Sidi Bernoussi, Ain Sebaa, Hay Mohammadi, New City, Mers Sultan, Louazis, Sidi Maarouf, and Nouaceur. Existing stations will also be modernized for full integration into the urban commuter train network. Once the commuter trains begin operating, 150,000 passengers will be transported daily on the three lines.
In addition to the three urban commuter train lines, the Aero-Express service will directly connect Casablanca-Port station and Mohammed V International Airport with shuttle trips every 15 minutes. The regional train service will also be enhanced on the Kenitra-Settat axis with shuttle trips every 30 minutes.
To meet regional and commuter transportation needs, 48 carriages with a capacity of over 1,000 seats and a speed of 160 km/h will be acquired at a cost of 7 billion dirhams (excluding taxes). The South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem, selected to supply these trains, will build a factory in the Kingdom. This will serve as an industrial engine for the rail system, a benchmark site capable of meeting future national needs, and contribute to achieving export ambitions in the medium term.
All these harmonious, coordinated, and integrated projects will have positive effects for communities in terms of job creation, security, environmental protection, improved living conditions for citizens, and added value.
(MAP)
