The city of Marrakech is currently experiencing significant unrest among transportation professionals, particularly in response to the recent decision to relocate the Bab Doukkala bus station to the "Al-Azouzia" area. This move has triggered widespread objections from unions and professional organizations, which have deemed the decision as "unilateral" and "poorly considered." They are warning about the potential economic and social repercussions this decision could have on the sector and the city's commercial activities.
Numerous professional organizations, including the National Union of Road Transporters and the National Federation of Passenger Transport, have filed an administrative complaint with the president of the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council. They are demanding the suspension of the relocation decision and a reconsideration of it, arguing that the Marrakech municipal council made this decision during its May 2026 session without involving key professionals and stakeholders in the sector.
The signatory organizations to the complaint emphasized that the decision was made "in the absence of a participatory approach", despite the fact that professionals and investors hold a significant share in the company managing the bus station. They consider this a violation of the provisions of Organizational Law 14.113 regarding local authorities, which mandates the inclusion of professionals in decisions related to their field.
The same document criticized the lack of a clear study assessing the economic and social impact of the decision, stating that the Bab Doukkala station is not merely a transit point but rather constitutes a "comprehensive economic and social system" that provides livelihoods for thousands of families and contributes to boosting the commercial and tourism activities in the Red City.
Professional unions have warned that the "sudden relocation" could jeopardize existing investments and expose transportation companies to the risk of halting operations, as well as having potential repercussions on social stability, given that a large number of families are directly and indirectly dependent on this activity.
The professional bodies have also expressed concern about the new location of the bus station in Al-Azouzia, arguing that it is far from the urban and commercial hubs, which may lead to the station's isolation and a decline in passenger numbers, in addition to difficulties in accessing it. They asserted that previous reports from the Court of Audit have confirmed these issues.
The document noted that the bus station project was previously included in the "Renewed City" program presented to King Mohammed VI in 2014; however, the project later underwent changes due to irregularities that were brought before the courts, as stated in the complaint.
The professional organizations are calling for the suspension of the relocation decision until a serious institutional dialogue is initiated with professionals and relevant authorities, primarily the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and the Regional Council. They also demand an independent impact study that considers economic, social, and organizational aspects while ensuring a balance between the rights of professionals, investors, and the local population.
The signatory organizations have expressed their full readiness to engage in any dialogue aimed at finding solutions that protect the interests of the city, professionals, and travelers, proposing practical alternatives such as rehabilitating the Bab Doukkala station instead of relocating it.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
