This project, intended to supply the national market and capture market share in Africa, is part of a global strategy to modernize the Moroccan rail network.
Questioned by the Istiqlalien group of unity and egalitarianism, the minister confirmed the government’s desire to invest massively in the sector. A State-ONCF program contract, with a substantial budget of 87 billion dirhams, was put in place to finance the development of the network, in particular the high-speed line (TGV) and the improvement of existing lines.
Read: Morocco launches into the manufacture of train sets
If the French group Alstom won the market for trainsets for the TGV, the choice of supplier for the other types of trainsets (RER-TNR, Intervilles and RER-Métropolitan) still remains pending.
The minister also discussed the progress of the TGV project linking Kenitra to Marrakech, which will connect the two cities in just 3 hours, compared to more than 5 hours currently.
In response to a question from the Ittihadi socialist-opposition group, Abdessamad Kayouh detailed the ambitions of the ONCF’s 2040 plan. This plan provides for the creation of 1,300 km of high-speed lines and 3,800 km of additional conventional lines, bringing the number of cities served to 43, compared to 23 today. The objective is to provide rail transport to 87% of the population, compared to 51% currently, and to create 10 regional centers.
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