MOROCCO: The World Bank has approved a US$350m financing package on June 9 for the Greater Casablanca Mobility and Logistics Hub, which aims to improve railway infrastructure and increase rail services in the Greater Casablanca area.
The funding is to support the country’s Service Intra-métropolitain Rapproché programme for the Greater Casablanca region. It covers modernisation of 73 km of existing railway to increase capacity, upgrading of electrical and signalling systems, and improvements to support climate resilience.
A total of 15 stations would be newly built, or upgraded to enhance intermodality and accessibility. Frequency on existing rail routes would be increased, with the aim that journeys between key traffic generators in the conurbation could be completed in no more than 45 min.
National operator ONCF has already pledged to introduce an RER dedicated suburban service in Casablanca. This is planned to connect the newly built station at Mohammedia Facultés, the Mohammed V International Airport and Casa Port, with headways of up to every 7 min 30 sec through the central core.
Freight capacity to the port of Casablanca would be enhanced, and rail access to logistics facilities in and around Casablanca is to be improved. This includes rail links serving the existing freight hub at Ain Sebaa and a new logistics zone in Zenata.
Forming part of a series of rail investment due for completion before the start of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will have venues in Morocco, ONCF is working on the development of RER-branded suburban rail networks around Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech. These will augment the existing TNR-branded regional rail services.
In February, Hyundai Rotem was selected for a €1·47bn contract to supply 110 double-deck 160 km/h electric multiple-units for RER and TER services.
