Rabat is not giving up on its ambitious amphibious bus project. The Rabat Region Mobility has recently announced a new tender aimed at procuring two vehicles designed to operate seamlessly on both roads and waterways, specifically navigating the Bouregreg river. This endeavor reflects the city's commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure and providing unique travel experiences.
The estimated budget for this project stands at 25 million dirhams, with the opening of bids scheduled for September 10, 2026, at the Rabat Region Mobility headquarters. Each amphibious bus is expected to accommodate at least 36 seated passengers, not including crew members, making it an ideal solution for tourist transport along the scenic Bouregreg.
The project aims to facilitate tourist travel on the Bouregreg by utilizing vehicles that are compatible with the access ramps of the Salé Marina and the left bank of the river. The first two months following the contract award will be dedicated to feasibility studies and the technical adaptation of the buses. This careful planning phase is crucial to ensure that the buses meet all operational requirements and safety standards.
Previous Attempts and Future Prospects
This latest endeavor is not Rabat's first attempt at introducing amphibious buses. A previous tender was launched in November 2025 with a budget of 23 million dirhams; however, it only attracted a single bid from the British company Seahorse Amphibious, which was ultimately rejected by the evaluation committee. A second tender was initiated in February 2026 with an increased budget of 26 million dirhams, but it failed to attract any candidates. In light of these setbacks, the current tender seeks to rectify past issues and is set for a 20-month contract duration, which includes 18 months allocated for manufacturing, testing, shipping to Morocco, on-site trials, and crew training.
When operating on roads, the buses are required to be equipped with diesel engines that at least meet the Euro VI standard, or its American equivalent, with a minimum speed of 50 km/h. In water, they must be capable of achieving a speed of at least 6 knots in calm waters, approximately 11 km/h. Furthermore, the specifications mandate a marine-grade aluminum hull, bilge pumps, water level alarms, fire-fighting systems, and individual rescue equipment. After construction, both road and maritime certifications must be validated in Morocco by the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA) and the Merchant Marine Directorate, ensuring that safety and compliance standards are met.
As reported by bladi.net.
