Conflict Escalates Between Taxi Drivers and Hotels in Casablanca
The tension in Casablanca is reaching a boiling point as the National Taxi Union accuses various hotel managements of bypassing official taxi stations. This situation arises from allegations that these hotels are illegally directing tourists towards unregulated transport platforms, amidst growing suspicions of covert commission payments. The report, sourced from the daily publication Al Akhbar, highlights the grievances of taxi drivers who feel increasingly marginalized in the competitive urban transportation landscape.
On July 12, 2026, a significant protest unfolded on Mohammed Diouri Street, led by small taxi drivers gathering for a warning sit-in outside one of the city's major hotels. The demonstrators vocally condemned what they describe as illegal practices and systematic harassment that directly threaten their livelihoods. According to the protesters, this issue is not an isolated incident; rather, it reflects a broader trend among various hotel establishments across the metropolis.
Fueled by the National Taxi Union, which is affiliated with the General Union of Enterprises and Professions, the outrage among professional drivers is intensified by their gradual exclusion from transporting clients and tourists. Although there are licensed taxi stations conveniently located at the entrances of these hotels, taxi drivers report being systematically overlooked. This predicament is further exacerbated by the rapid proliferation of mobile transport applications, including those utilizing motorcycles, which claim a significant share of the market in an informal manner, as noted in Al Akhbar.
Union representatives directly criticize the behavior of Casablanca's hotel management, accusing them of ignoring numerous attempts at conciliation. Requests for dialogue, along with urgent summonses delivered by court bailiffs, have gone unanswered, effectively blocking any amicable resolution. On the ground, taxi drivers describe an established system where hotel staff deliberately steer foreign visitors towards alternative transport methods, undermining the official taxi terminals. These alleged practices range from calling unlicensed vehicles through unauthorized apps to downloading these platforms on tourists' phones, and even the use of tourist transport companies that disregard existing regulations requiring prior reservations of 24 to 48 hours.
At the heart of this discord lies an accusation of commercial overreach. Taxi professionals assert that some hotels significantly exceed their legal prerogatives, which are limited to accommodation and dining, by directly meddling in the transport sector. According to the protesters, this interference is financially motivated by the receipt of commissions from drivers operating outside the legal framework, a financial advantage that regular taxi drivers cannot match due to strict adherence to meter regulations and official pricing set by the local authorities.
This situation has compelled the National Taxi Union to urgently call on the Ministry of Tourism and relevant authorities to audit compliance with the regulatory frameworks governing Casablanca's hotels. While maintaining a firm stance, the union reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing dialogue with hotel management to reach a fair agreement that secures the rights of professionals and puts an end to the chaos currently undermining the taxi business.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
