On Monday, the port of Casablanca welcomed a new fleet of 257 buses, marking a significant milestone in the rollout of the Urban Public Transport by Bus Program (2025-2029). This initial batch will serve several urban areas, as part of the program's first phase aimed at enhancing public transport across Moroccan cities. The cities set to benefit include Marrakech (49 buses), Agadir (40), Tangier (56), Tetouan (68), and Benslimane (44). Abdelaaziz Fares, the general director of the Local Development Company (SDL) Marrakech Mobility, highlighted that this delivery is aligned with the new model of delegated management contracts. These contracts have been spearheaded by the Ministry of the Interior in collaboration with delegating authorities, such as the Marrakech Transport group. Fares noted that the group has already received 49 buses and anticipates an additional 97, bringing the total fleet to 207 vehicles by early November. The newly arrived buses will be taken to a specialized logistics platform where they will be equipped with onboard technology. This will provide the Ministry of the Interior, delegating authorities, and contractors with crucial data related to the management contracts and operational metrics. Fares also mentioned that future users of the public transport network will benefit from real-time updates on network data and line frequencies. Additionally, they will have access to transport tickets through various platforms, including websites, ticket vending machines, and mobile apps. With a budget of nearly 11 billion dirhams, the Urban Public Transport by Bus Program aims to support 37 delegating authorities, covering 84 cities and urban areas. The initiative includes the acquisition of approximately 3,800 buses and the implementation of advanced systems to enhance operations and passenger information.
