Morocco Launches Overhaul of Urban Bus Transport with $1.1 Billion National Program
Rabat – Morocco has set out on an ambitious reform of its public bus transport system, aiming to transform urban mobility across 84 cities and metropolitan areas between 2025 and 2029.
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit outlined the new strategy during a session in the House of Representatives on Monday, where he described the plan as a sharp break from past approaches to urban transport management.
The program begins with 37 delegated local authorities, including 18 municipalities, 12 inter-municipal cooperation bodies, and 7 regional groupings.
In this first phase, major cities such as Marrakech, Tangier, Tetouan, Agadir, Benslimane, and Fez are among the first to enter the transition.
The state has earmarked MAD 11 billion ($1.1 billion) for the rollout. This funding covers the purchase of 3,746 new buses and the development of digital and physical infrastructure: ticketing systems, route planning and passenger information tools, parking areas, bus stops, signage, and maintenance facilities.
'This model turns the page on outdated methods,' said Laftit. He underlined three core principles: a clear separation between investment and daily operations, full public responsibility for infrastructure costs, and the introduction of tighter monitoring and performance controls.
The financing structure rests on a three-way contribution: one-third from regional governments and two-thirds from Morocco's Road Transport Reform Support Fund.
Contributions to this fund from the Ministries of Interior and Finance have increased from MAD 1 billion to MAD 1.5 billion ($100 million to $150 million), bringing the annual funding pool to MAD 3 billion ($300 million).
The reform unfolds in three phases. In the first, six delegated authorities will oversee transport upgrades in 23 cities. Tenders have already been launched to appoint technical oversight teams, with engineering consultancies selected for cities like Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir, and Tetouan.
At the same time, procurement efforts for 1,317 buses are underway through local development companies. Contracts have been awarded for 968 vehicles. The remaining 349 units will be subject to a second round of bidding after initial proposals fell short of technical requirements.
The government has also opened tenders for smart ticketing systems and operational support platforms. Selected suppliers will be announced before mid-June.
The second phase will extend to 24 more cities under 18 additional authorities. Plans include purchasing 827 new buses and recruiting future operators through competitive bidding.
In the third and final phase, the government will target another 37 cities, working with 13 local authorities. This last stage will follow the expiry of existing transport contracts, paving the way for a full nationwide rollout.
While these efforts mark a promising step toward improving public transport, many Moroccans remain skeptical. Urban buses in the country have long suffered from poor conditions, overcrowding, delays, and a lack of safety.
Passengers often report harassment, theft, and frequent breakdowns, while accidents involving buses continue to raise serious concerns. Despite the planned overhaul, public confidence in the system remains low, and many believe that only sustained reform and strict oversight can restore trust. Tags: MoroccoMorocco transportMorocco urban busesTransportationurban buses
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Morocco World
Total Commercial Traffic at Morocco's Ports Hits 60.8 Million Tonnes in Q1 2025
Rabat – Moroccan ports' volume of commercial traffic reached 60.80 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, according to recent data from the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts. The number shows an increase of 10.2%, the directorate said, attributing the growth to the strengthening of transhipment traffic, which accounted for 49.9% of total traffic. Export traffic and import traffic, as well as coastal shipping, also contributed to the reported growth. As for passenger traffic, Moroccan ports witnessed the transit of 720,645 travelers by the end of March, representing an increase of 3.9%. Cruise activity also saw a recorded growth of 46.9% in the first quarter of this year, with a total of 55,668 cruise passengers. Air transport activity also showed continued growth with a double-digit rate by the end of the first quarter, strengthening by 16.4%. The center also highlighted Morocco's measures to facilitate the return of Moroccans residing abroad, which is set to strengthen ports performance. Moroccan ports receive millions of passengers between June and September as part of the Marhaba Operation, an annual initiative the country launches to facilitate the transit of Moroccans residing abroad as well as travelers visiting the North African country from different destinations. This is expected to contribute to Morocco's economy as well as the tourism industry. In 2024, Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists, and the country expects 26 million travelers by 2030. Tags: airports moroccoMoroccan ports
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Is Francophonie Still Relevant for Morocco's Youth?
You step into a university cafe in Rabat. You hear students joke with their friends in Darija as they switch to English to chat about a Netflix show, then politely respond to a professor in refined French. Such linguistic juggling is not unique—it is a daily reality for many young people in Morocco. But as new languages emerge and old ones evolve, the question arises: What does Francophonie (the international community of French-speaking countries) mean for Morocco's youth in 2025? A language woven into Morocco's past Francophonie has long held a dominant role in Morocco's institutions, business sector, and education system. Although Morocco gained independence from France in 1956 , the French language persisted as the dominant language across key institutions. Decades later, it remains deeply entrenched in key areas such as law, governance, education, and foreign affairs. French remains a central language in Morocco's professional and bureaucratic spheres , maintaining its status as a language of power and access. Similarly, while school education in Morocco shifted to Arabic after independence, universities often revert to French, particularly in scientific and professional fields, demonstrating its persisting status as the language of the working world . For generations, French fluency opened the door to prestigious private schools and foreign-based jobs. Business deals were signed in French, medical and engineering degrees taught in it, and high-level diplomatic meetings regularly held in both French and Arabic. Even today, French dominates written professional communication, as 32% of Moroccans use it for formal communication and business sectors. Yet while Francophonie maintains institutional presence, its symbolic status is shifting—particularly among Morocco's youth. A generational shift Recent data paints a clear picture: younger Moroccans are more likely to mix languages and favor English over French. According to a 2025 survey conducted by Sunergia research group, 29% of Moroccans speak French fluently. Among individuals under the age of 34, the percentage drops slightly to around 24%, compared to only 14% in the 35–54 range. In the under-24 demographic, many now prefer combining combining Darija (Moroccan Arabic), French and English. This generational divide partly traces back to Moroccan Arabization policies in the 1980s, which reduced French language instruction in public schools. But, it also corresponds to the rise of English as a global lingua franca. In 2024, only 9% of Moroccans reported fluency in English. A seemingly small figure, but among younger people and higher-income backgrounds, the figure rose substantially to 17% and 22% respectively. The contrast is striking: while young Moroccans become increasingly disillusioned with Francophonie, opting for English and Darija in daily life, many businesses continue to sell the idea of Francophonie as a symbol of credibility, promoting its continental appeal in advertising and branding. The result? A complex and layered linguistic map, with Darija as the anchor, English on the rise, and French navigating uncertain terrain. Class divides and linguistic hierarchies The French language in Morocco remains closely tied to socioeconomic status. The same survey conducted reveals that 43% of higher-income earners are fluent in French, compared to just 6% among lower-income Moroccans. For many years, this language divide has mirrored educational inequalities, with private schools providing superior French education and public schools struggling to uphold the same standards of quality. 'Those who do not have command of French are considered illiterate,' said Hamid El Otmani, talent and training lead at the CGEM (Confederation of Moroccan Employers), in an interview with Reuters. Many employers require French fluency for positions ranging from technicians to drivers; preparing a resume and attending interviews often requires strong French skills. El Otmani continues, stating that 'in the Moroccan job market, mastery of French is indispensable,' as those without it are often seen as unqualified. Yet for many young people, this bottleneck feels increasingly outdated. With English becoming the global language of business, technology, and media, French risks being seen less as a pathway to opportunity and more as a colonial remnant. Teaching tomorrow's language To address these shifting preferences, Morocco's Ministry of Education has implemented a wide-ranging language reform. The 2024–25 school year witnessed a significant increase in English education, with the ministry anticipating that by 2026, 100% of students in public middle schools will receive English lessons. Such initiatives will enable Morocco to garner more international representation . The reform is set to achieve full national coverage by the 2025–26 academic year, as part of the overall government policy of promoting linguistic pluralism and reducing reliance on French. This initiative was first announced in 2022 and has since been reaffirmed in multiple government reports and education updates. Simultaneously, the government is investing heavily in Tamazight education , the language spoken by the Amazigh people — the indigenous people of Morocco's. The government aims to integrate a more inclusive language policy that incorporates Morocco's Amazigh culture and language. English, meanwhile, is increasingly seen as a future-oriented tool for global mobility—particularly among the youth. This linguistic shift also reflects a broader postcolonial reorientation, as Morocco gradually distances itself from French. Critics argue that progress could be quicker, concerned that Morocco may remain linguistically dependent on a language its youth are increasingly abandoning. Cultural identity at a crossroads Beyond vocabulary lists and grammar classes, the question of language cuts to something deeper: identity. For some, Francophonie is a reminder of colonial rule. For others, it is a practical necessity. Many young Moroccans increasingly view French in a negative light, but businesses still remain attached to it, seeing it as a marketability tool for regional outreach. This ambivalence mimics a broader cultural shift. While older generations may associate French with social mobility, younger Moroccans generally perceive it as out of sync with demands of a globalized future. But not all sentiment toward French is antagonistic. Morocco's Minister of Culture, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, recently reaffirmed the importance of cultural cooperation with France, calling the relationship a 'shared future.' At the 2025 Paris Book Fair, where Morocco was guest of honor, Bensaid envisioned a partnership 'rooted in the past but without resentment'. In this vision, Francophonie becomes less about linguistic dominance and more about cultural exchange—a rebranding that could resonate with younger Moroccans if aligned with new realities. Experts weigh in Despite losing its popularity with the youth, Francophonie remains present among the general Moroccan population. According to the 2024 General Census, submitted by the HCP (Haut Commissariat au Plan), 57.7% of Moroccans report some ability in French, while 20.5% can understand or speak English. Although daily use habits vary, French still dominates written communication in official and administrative contexts. Even among scholars, there is an acknowledgment that the linguistic tide is turning. 'Morocco is a multilingual community,' state Najib Slimani and Jihad Iguider, authors of a 2023 study on Moroccan language attitudes at the Cadi Ayyad University. As a result of the dynamic linguistic background, 'it is safe to presume that the English language is on the way to replacing French and becoming the first foreign language in Morocco.' The youth's general sentiment is that the government should advocate for more inclusive language policies. Students often describe French as 'useful but limiting,' and English as the language of the future. The path forward So, is Francophonie still relevant in Morocco today? The answer is as complex as the country's linguistic landscape. French remains significant, particularly in institutional contexts, but it no longer possesses the singular power it once did. English, propelled by pop culture, economic opportunity, and educational reform, is increasingly viewed as the key to the future. As Morocco reimagines its place in a multilingual world, the challenge will be to ensure that no language becomes a barrier—and that every voice, whether in Darija, Tamazight, French, or English, can be heard. For Francophonie to remain influential in Morocco, it must evolve—especially as the new generation writes its future in an increasingly multilingual world. Tags: FrancophonieFrenchMoroccan YouthMorocco
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
The Moroccan diaspora in Lyon rallies to bolster the kingdom's cybersecurity
On Wednesday, June 25, the Consulate General of Morocco in Lyon hosted a conference that brought together tech experts, cybersecurity professionals, and prominent members of the Moroccan diaspora to discuss their strategic role in supporting Morocco's digital transformation. Titled « The Diaspora: A Digital Shield to Strengthen Morocco's Cybersecurity and Accelerate its Digitalization», the event focused on how Moroccan talent based in France can contribute to advancing the Kingdom's digital ambitions, according to an official statement. The conference was opened by Fatima Baroudi, Morocco's Consul General in Lyon, alongside a representative from Allianz. The session was moderated by Rédoine Billaud, Commercial Director at IntelDocs. The program was divided into four main parts. The first offered an overview of Morocco's digital transformation, outlining current challenges and the urgent need for robust digital infrastructure and skilled talent. The second highlighted the diaspora as a valuable reservoir of expertise, sharing real-life examples of professional journeys and engagement in cybersecurity. The third segment explored practical ways in which Moroccans abroad can help build a «digital shield», from transferring knowledge to supporting innovative projects. The event concluded with a networking session that called for more structured and sustained engagement from the diaspora in shaping Morocco's national cybersecurity strategy.
