Casablanca’s daily commute is set for a dramatic overhaul as King Mohammed VI inaugurated a landmark commuter rail program on Wednesday.
The initiative, part of a MAD 96 billion national railway development plan, promises to reshape urban mobility while strengthening Morocco’s infrastructure ahead of major international events.
The new system will run three high-frequency lines connecting key urban and suburban hubs, including the Hassan II Grand Stadium, Casa-Port station, and Mohammed V International Airport.
Trains will arrive every 7.5 minutes, easing traffic congestion and transporting an estimated 150,000 passengers daily. An airport express service and reinforced regional lines to El Jadida and Settat further integrate Morocco’s urban and regional rail network.
Ten new metropolitan stations, along with three major new-generation hubs, Casablanca-South, Hassan II Grand Stadium, and Mohammed V Airport, will offer modern, accessible, and intermodal connectivity.
Casablanca-South alone will handle 12 million passengers annually, with seamless connections to trams, buses, and taxis.
Beyond improving daily commutes, the commuter rail program is expected to generate significant economic and social benefits. Reduced travel times and better access to jobs, education, and commercial centers will boost productivity, while construction and operations create thousands of new jobs.
Environmentally, the service will cut 100,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, promoting Morocco’s low-carbon mobility vision.
The project also strengthens Morocco’s readiness to host major international sporting events, including FIFA World Cup matches, by ensuring smooth, high-capacity travel between stadiums, airports, and urban centers.
Mohamed Rabie Khlie, Director General of the National Railways Office (ONCF), told MAP: “These trains provide a fast, affordable, and environmentally friendly solution, carrying the equivalent of 1,300 cars per train while dramatically reducing congestion in Casablanca.”
To support these services, Morocco will acquire 48 new railcars, with a South Korean manufacturer establishing a local factory to supply the trains and foster a domestic railway industry.
The program also includes 260 kilometers of new lines, technical centers, and maintenance facilities, creating a fully integrated national network.
Set to be operational by 2030, the commuter rail expansion reflects the Kingdom’s long-term vision for sustainable mobility, regional connectivity, and socio-economic development, while enhancing Morocco’s capacity to host world-class events and strengthening its international profile.
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