فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat: Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, has unveiled the government’s significant investments in upgrading infrastructure and developing the urban transport sector across Moroccan cities, emphasizing the mobilization of public investment to modernize the transport system.
In response to a written question from Member of Parliament Fatima El Kashouti, Laftit clarified that the ministry is actively implementing the national urban mobility strategy by preparing a national roadmap for sustainable urban and semi-urban mobility, aiming for a comprehensive update of the sector’s strategy.
The measures undertaken, according to the minister, include adopting a comprehensive approach that anticipates the needs of cities and supports local authorities in exercising their competencies in urban mobility and transport. This involves modernizing its management system and strengthening institutional capacities through financial and technical support to encourage the implementation and generalization of sustainable urban mobility plans as a crucial tool for regulating and managing the mobility sector.
Laftit highlighted that this mechanism primarily aims to develop an integrated multi-modal sustainable transport system that considers the needs of all citizen categories, reduces the use of private cars to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, and promotes the development of a suitable environment for eco-friendly modes such as walking and cycling, while enhancing road safety and quality.
As part of mobilizing public investment, the minister pointed to the allocation of 9.77 billion dirhams by December 31, 2024, through the Urban and Intercity Transport Reform Support Fund (FRAT), to finance structural public transport projects, particularly dedicated lane mass transit systems like trams and high-quality bus services, as well as general mobility infrastructure such as parking lots, roads, ring roads, underpasses, and vertical and horizontal signage.
Laftit reviewed the completed projects, including four tramway lines and two high-quality bus service lines in Casablanca (98.9 km with a mobilization of 7.3 billion dirhams), two tramway lines in Rabat-Salé (26.6 km with a mobilization of 1.8 billion dirhams), and a high-quality bus service line in Agadir (15.5 km with a mobilization of 513.26 million dirhams currently in the final stages of completion), in addition to studies for new high-quality bus service lines in Marrakech and Tangier.
The minister announced a new urban bus transport program for the 2025-2029 period with a total investment of 11 billion dirhams. This program includes the acquisition of 3,746 buses, operational support and passenger information systems, ticketing systems, and the development of depots, bus stops, guidance poles, and maintenance centers, benefiting 37 delegated authorities.
To implement this program, a financial structure agreement has been signed, with investment costs covered by contributions from the regions (one-third) and the FRAT fund (two-thirds). Annual contributions from the Ministries of Interior and Economy and Finance to the FRAT fund will be increased from one billion dirhams to 1.5 billion dirhams each, bringing the total annual contribution to 3 billion dirhams instead of the previous 2 billion dirhams.
The program will be rolled out in three phases. The first phase involves six delegated authorities (the 2025-2026 program targets 24 delegated authorities), with tenders announced for project supervision assistance and for the acquisition of 1,317 buses on January 15th and 16th, 2025. Tenders for ticketing and operational support systems will be announced by the relevant local development companies. The second and third phases include the remaining cities covered by the program for the periods 2025-2026 and 2027-2029.
Minister Laftit emphasized the implementation of practical measures to monitor various traffic and circulation projects. The ministry is developing public space camera surveillance systems using advanced artificial intelligence technologies to manage traffic flow, parking, and reduce congestion, while achieving balance and integration between different modes of transport.
