King Mohammed VI inaugurated on Wednesday in Casablanca's Hay Hassani district several major railway projects worth MAD 20 billion, designed to significantly improve mobility across the metropolitan area. These flagship projects, part of a broader MAD 96 billion program, address the city's future urban mobility challenges and support the continued development of Morocco's railway sector. The program follows the April launch of the Kenitra–Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (430 km) and also aims to strengthen regional connections between Kenitra and Casablanca, improve mobility within Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, and foster a new national railway industry ecosystem. The projects are financed 70% by the National Railways Office (ONCF) and 30% by the region. They include the construction of three major new-generation stations, 10 new metropolitan commuter stations, upgrades to five existing stations, 260 km of new railway lines, 50 civil engineering structures, two technical centers (Zenata and Nouaceur), five maintenance workshops, and the acquisition of 48 new trains for local and regional services. The program seeks to build a sustainable regional transport system, strengthen daily mobility, support socio-economic development and urban planning, and advance Morocco's national objectives for 2030. The three new-generation stations will be high-capacity hubs designed for seamless intermodal connectivity. One of them, the «Casablanca-South» Station, officially launched on Wednesday, represents an investment of MAD 700 million. Equipped with international-standard technology for safety and service quality, it will handle up to 12 million passengers annually with six platforms, 10 tracks, 20,000 m² of outdoor space, and a 700-car parking lot. It will also serve high-speed Al Boraq trains, long-distance and regional trains, commuter trains, and the Aero-Express linking Casa-Port to Mohammed V Airport every 15 minutes. The second major station, «Hassan II Grand Stadium» in Benslimane, will cost around MAD 450 million and handle up to 12 million passengers per year. The third, at Mohammed V International Airport, has a budget of MAD 300 million and a capacity of 5 million passengers per year. All three stations are expected to be completed within 24 months. By 2030, a new commuter rail service will also link Casablanca and its surrounding region, running as frequently as every 7.5 minutes. Three main lines covering 92 km will connect key urban centers and strategic sites such as the Hassan II Stadium and Mohammed V Airport. Ten new stations, Mohammedia-Faculties, Zenata, Sidi Bernoussi, Ain Sbâa, Hay Mohammadi, Ville Nouvelle, Mers Sultan, Oasis, Sidi Maârouf, and Nouaceur, will be built within 20 months at a cost of MAD 625 million. Modernization of existing stations will also ensure full integration of the new service, expected to transport 150,000 passengers daily. In addition, an airport express will run every 15 minutes between Casa-Port and Mohammed V Airport, while regional services to El Jadida and Settat will be reinforced with 30-minute shuttles. To meet these mobility needs, Morocco plans to acquire 48 railcars with a capacity of more than 1,000 seats each, operating at 160 km/h, at a cost of MAD 7 billion (excluding tax). South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem, selected to supply the trains, will establish a factory in Morocco as part of the emerging railway ecosystem. The site will address national needs and contribute to export ambitions in the medium term. Altogether, these integrated projects are expected to generate significant benefits in job creation, safety, environmental protection, and improved living standards, while creating added value for local communities.
