Morocco to operate network of high-speed trains

Equipment and transport minister, Karim Ghallab, announced on Tuesday that Morocco will be operating a network of high-speed trains.

The minister told advisors (senators) that the Moroccan railway authority (ONCF) is conducting a study on the future network of high-speed trains.

The project, he went on, is part of the short-term and long-term forecasts and will significantly contribute to the social and economic development of the country.

New railways will link Tangiers to the city's port on the Mediterranean (15 Km), between the northeastern cities of Taourirt and Nador (117 kms) and between Sidi Yahya and Machraâ Belksiri, in Northern Morocco (47 kms).

The high-speed train to service Casablanca and Agadir (southern Morocco), will be carried out in two phases: a 320-km long stretch between Casablanca and Marrakesh to be crossed in one hour and the second 312 km-long way between Agadir and Essaouira to be crossed in one hour.

On the long term, he added, high-speed trains will service Tangiers (in the north) to Agadir (in the south).

Studies have shown the profitability of this network, he stressed during the weekly question-time.