Over 13 Million Persons Traveled by Train in Morocco in 2000

Over 13 million persons traveled by train in Morocco in 2000, while 7.82 million tons of goods and 19.10 tons of phosphates were carried by train, said general manager of the Moroccan railway office (ONCF), Karim Ghallab.

During a presentation on the Moroccan network restructuring made at the 10th scientific symposium held by the Arab railway union from October 31 through Nov.2 in Rabat, the ONCF general manager recalled that in the 90's the office experienced a hard financial situation, with 6.5 billion DH of debts and a deficit of 4 billion DH. But, thanks to measures adopted by the office and an efficient marketing policy, encouraging results were reached, he went on.

The financial crisis led to an inadequacy between offer and demand, a decrease in the number of passengers by 18% and merchandise by 10%.

The strategy developed to save the company consists of improving human resources management, an efficient marketing policy and improving services. The state brought a 700 million DH contribution to this effort which also included increase tariffs for phosphates transport by 26%.

The office has therefore succeeded in reducing operating expenses and is planning other ambitious actions meant to improve the company's technical and commercial aspects, modernize production and carry out considerable railway extension projects.

ONCF currently employs 14.400 persons and manages and operates a network of 4,907 km of which 80% are single way rails and 20% double way rails.