By: Morocco world news

Morocco's Railway Modernization Drive for the 2030 World Cup

Morocco is undertaking an ambitious program to modernize and expand its national train network as part of its preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Abdessamad Kayouh, the country's Minister of Transport and Logistics, detailed these developments during an oral question session at the House of Representatives, emphasizing that enhancing rail infrastructure is a fundamental pillar for the success of the global event.

Strategic Fleet and Infrastructure Upgrades

The minister outlined a series of concrete steps already taken to advance the national railway plan. These initiatives are designed to significantly improve the traveler experience through service improvements and fleet expansion. Key actions include the remodeling of 346 existing passenger vehicles and the acquisition of 60 new ones. Furthermore, the national fleet has been strengthened with the purchase of 30 new locomotives that operate on a modern 380-volt electrical generation system.

This modernization effort is part of a broader, strategic 2030 national railway plan aimed at expanding the network across various regions of the country. To support this rapid development, the National Railway Office (ONCF) is planning a major procurement of 168 new trains, which will include high-speed models.

Major Investments in Rail Infrastructure

The government's commitment is backed by substantial financial investment. Morocco has recently launched a large-scale railway project in the Casablanca metropolitan area worth $2 billion. This project is itself a component of a wider $9.6 billion national rail development program.

A cornerstone of this program is the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail (LGV) line, a 430-kilometer corridor initiated by King Mohammed VI in April. This project is set to become one of the most ambitious rail undertakings on the African continent.

Persistent Service Challenges and Public Frustration

Despite the government's announcements of long-term upgrades, the national railway service continues to face operational challenges that have frustrated passengers. The government's update comes amid ongoing public anger over service reliability from the ONCF.

A recent incident highlighted these issues: a breakdown of a high-speed train on a Friday caused significant disruptions in the northern part of the country, leaving passengers stranded at multiple stations for hours. Train users took to social media to voice their frustration, citing a lack of communication from the operator, the unavailability of shuttle services during delays, and the poor condition of some vehicles.

In response to the incident, the ONCF issued an apology to clients, attributing the delay to a technical issue that was eventually resolved after several hours. This situation underscores the gap between the Ministry of Transport's future promises and the current reality for frustrated clients, emphasizing the need to address immediate service quality issues in addition to long-term infrastructure projects.