Mohammedia – Morocco has officially launched the first phase of its 2025–2029 National Urban Bus Transport Program, aimed at modernising the country’s public mobility system.
Younes El Kasmi, Director of Urban Mobility and Transport at the Interior Ministry, announced that approximately 1,000 buses will be delivered by late October or early November, as part of the initial phase, which includes a total of 1,487 buses.
This phase will focus on key areas such as Tangier, Tetouan, Fès, Rabat, Benslimane, Marrakech, and Agadir, as well as surrounding cities including Fnideq, Assilah, Tamansourt, Benguerir, and Inzegane Aït Melloul. The program will target 29 cities and urban areas within these regions.
Additionally, the initiative will introduce smart ticketing and passenger-information systems (SAEIV), as well as establish maintenance centres to ensure fleet sustainability.
The new bus services will be managed by professional operators under a delegated-management model, prioritising service quality, innovation, and performance, marking a shift from traditional municipal control.
Expanding Urban Mobility and Governance Reform
Backed by a budget of approximately MAD 11 billion, the national program will eventually cover 37 local authorities and 84 cities. The goal is to acquire a total of 3,800 buses.
In the second phase, coverage will extend to 18 delegating authorities, including cities like Dakhla, Guelmim, Oujda, Essaouira, Tinghir, Taounate, and Sidi Bennour. The third phase will further expand to 12 authorities overseeing 31 cities, including Casablanca, Meknès, Khouribga, Laâyoune, Béni Mellal, Nador, El Aroui, El Jadid, and Azemmour, with an additional 1,482 buses to enhance public transport.
This extensive program aligns with the royal directives outlined in King Mohammed VI’s December 2024 message to the Second National Assises on Advanced Regionalisation in Tangier, which highlighted the need for inclusive, environmentally friendly transport systems to address social and spatial inequalities.
El Kasmi emphasised that the program will usher in a new model of urban mobility governance, benefiting citizens across the country.
The reform is set to address longstanding issues in Moroccan urban transport, such as aging vehicle fleets, overcrowding, and irregular service, which have hampered daily mobility.
For instance, a recent project in Fès introduced 250 new buses, a modern ticketing system, and a maintenance centre, all within the national framework.
In addition, Morocco has secured agreements for 723 Yutong buses, which will be progressively delivered as part of this first phase.
The program forms part of a broader national mobility strategy that aims to improve infrastructure, integrate digital solutions, and ensure sustainable urban development throughout the kingdom.