The Ambitious Railway Project in Casablanca
The future railway network in the economic capital of Morocco, Casablanca, is actively taking shape, with all indicators pointing to the extensive scale of this colossal project aimed at revolutionizing urban mobility. As outlined in a statement from the National Office of Railways (ONCF), all major construction works under this initiative have now commenced. This ambitious program, backed by an investment of 20 billion dirhams, is part of the broader national railway transformation plan set for completion by 2030, which involves an overall budget of 96 billion dirhams.
The ONCF recalls that on September 24, 2025, King Mohammed VI officially launched this initiative in Casablanca, designed to deeply support the evolution of mobility within the metropolitan area. This project represents a significant leap forward in enhancing public transportation and accessibility across the city.
Major Developments and New Stations
The Grand Casablanca program focuses on the construction of three state-of-the-art railway stations, the establishment of ten new metropolitan train stations, the renovation of five existing stations, the creation of 260 kilometers of new railway lines, the construction or expansion of 50 infrastructure projects, the development of two technology centers, five maintenance centers, and the acquisition of 48 new trains dedicated to local and regional services.
Central to this initiative are three new-generation stations currently under construction at strategic locations, with a project timeline of 24 months. The future Casablanca-Sud station is set to become the primary railway and intermodal hub in the southern region. Featuring six platforms and ten railway tracks, it will facilitate connectivity between the high-speed Al Boraq trains, long-distance services, and regional transport options. Designed as an integrated exchange platform within the urban fabric, it will offer direct connections to the tramway system, a high-level bus network, and taxi services.
Moreover, the new Mohammed V Airport station will serve as a vital logistical link, enhancing the integration of the Casablanca-Nouaceur industrial and residential hub with the broader region. It will be directly connected to the airport terminal to ensure seamless transfer between rail and air transport, featuring four platforms and seven tracks arranged to accommodate simultaneous operations of conventional trains, high-speed services, and the dedicated Aéroexpress.
The Grand Stade Hassan II station, located in Benslimane, aims to meet the dual objectives of serving the expanding urban centers and managing high volumes of passengers during major international events, notably the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The functional layout of the site includes an event-focused area with two platforms and four tracks reserved for high-speed trains, alongside a suburban infrastructure with five platforms and six tracks for local trains, thus ensuring continuous connectivity between Benslimane and the urban areas along the Casablanca-Rabat axis.
In parallel to these significant interconnection hubs, the development of the local metropolitan train network is entering a crucial operational phase with the simultaneous launch of construction for ten new proximity stations. Strategically located along the main urban axes, these stations will directly serve the population and activity centers of Mohammedia-Facultés, Zenata-Industrial Zone, Zenata-New City, Sidi Bernoussi, Aïn Sebaâ, Hay Mohammadi, Mers Sultan, Casa-Oasis, Sidi Maârouf, and Nouaceur-New City.
All proximity stations are designed according to a unified architectural charter to ensure smooth and easily navigable travel experiences for passengers, from the road access to the platforms, including modernized welcoming, ticketing, and waiting areas. The ONCF is committed to advancing this structural program, which aims to position rail as a cornerstone of future mobility in the metropolis, enhancing its development, attractiveness, and promoting more sustainable transportation solutions.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
