The attack on a Russian diplomat and his wife in Casablanca by taxi drivers once again highlights an ongoing conflict between taxi drivers and private drivers operating transportation apps. This new incident once again raises the question of the regularization of these services, very popular with Moroccan users.
The incident that occurred this Sunday in the heart of Casablanca, involving taxi drivers, a private driver operating a transport application and collateral victims, a Russian diplomat and his wife, once again highlighted the standoff between the taxi drivers. and private drivers offering a VTC service (transport vehicles with driver).
While user complaints against the taxi sector are increasing, platforms like Indrive, Careem or Yango are responding to strong demand. However, private drivers, whose number is estimated at 12,000 throughout Morocco (7,000 in Casablanca) operating these applications operate clandestinely but operate clandestinely. This situation, marked by tensions and violence, particularly on the part of taxi drivers who claim to act to defend their profession, calls for reflection on the legalization of these services and their integration into the Moroccan transport ecosystem.
A conflict that escalates
On Sunday, taxi drivers intercepted the vehicle of a driver operating the Yango application in which a Russian diplomat and his wife were traveling. The “robbery”, which quickly turned violent, led to the hospitalization of the victims, including the driver of the VTC. Faced with the scale and sensitivity of this matter, an investigation was immediately opened by the Attorney General at the Casablanca Court of Appeal.
If this case attracts particular attention because of the status of the passengers, it is part of a series of similar incidents where taxi drivers attack VTC drivers.
Since the emergence of these alternative transport platforms in Morocco, altercations have increased. In addition to attacks against drivers, some taxis vandalize the advertising panels of these companies, as was the case on several occasions in Casablanca.
Users between discontent and new offer
Faced with these scenes which are becoming more and more recurrent, users are increasingly expressing their exasperation with the traditional taxi sector. Random availability, refusal of rides, unsanitary conditions or even abusive pricing requirements are recurring complaints. In response, platforms like Indrive and Careem are capturing customers hungry for more reliable and modern services.
However, these platforms operate in a gray area. If their activity is tolerated, their legal framework remains ambiguous, fueling tensions with taxis. The recent announcement by Indrive of the introduction of motorcycle transport in Casablanca illustrates this vagueness: this service is supposed to be prohibited, but the platform continues its deployment.
However, these platforms operate in a gray area. If their activity is tolerated under the pretext that they are intended for taxis, their legal framework remains ambiguous, which fuels tensions with taxis, given that most of the drivers who operate them are individuals. The recent announcement by Indrive in a press release of the establishment of a motorcycle transport service in Rabat (after Casablanca) illustrates this vagueness: this service is supposed to be prohibited!
Guardianship called to act
Faced with a rapidly changing transport market, calls for authorities to legalize VTC services in Morocco, as has been done in many other countries. For the defenders of these solutions, they would not only provide a response to growing user demand. Conversely, some believe that legalization could further weaken the already struggling taxi sector.
The attack on the Russian diplomat could well be the wake-up call needed to relaunch the debate and push the authorities to break from stagnation.
