Project Profile: Casablanca Tramway Network

The Casablanca Tramway is a multi-line light rail transit (LRT) system engineered to enhance urban mobility and anchor the economic development strategy of the Casablanca-Settat region. This project profile details the technical specifications, strategic impact, and key stakeholders involved in its phased implementation, establishing it as a benchmark for large-scale urban rail in North Africa.

Technical Specifications

The Casablanca Tramway’s infrastructure is built to modern European standards, ensuring high efficiency and passenger capacity. The network operates a fleet of Alstom Citadis 302 trams, each configured as a double unit with a capacity of 606 passengers. These low-floor vehicles provide full accessibility and are equipped with air conditioning and multilingual passenger information systems. A significant portion of the recent fleet additions were assembled at Alstom’s facility in Morocco, fostering local industrial capabilities.

Network operations are managed from a central command post utilizing Alstom’s Urbalis signalling and traffic management solution. This system facilitates real-time monitoring of the entire network, optimizes tram frequency, and ensures operational safety across complex interchanges. The network is strategically designed to integrate with other key transport nodes, including the Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port railway stations, providing seamless connections to Morocco’s Al-Boraq high-speed rail line and the national rail network.

Key Takeaways

• Economic Catalyst for Urban Corridors: The tramway has proven to be a powerful driver of urban regeneration and economic activity, increasing property values and stimulating commercial development along its routes.
• A Benchmark for Public-Private Partnership (PPP): The project’s governance structure, blending the public oversight of Casa Transports with the operational expertise of RATP Dev and the technological supply from Alstom, serves as a successful and replicable PPP model for major infrastructure projects in emerging economies.
• Foundation of an Integrated Mobility System: The tramway functions as the high-capacity backbone of Casablanca’s public transport plan. Its integration with bus routes and national rail forms a multi-modal system that reduces road congestion and promotes sustainable urban mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the Casablanca tramway T3 and T4 lines open?

The T3 and T4 lines of the Casablanca tramway network became fully operational in 2024. This milestone completed the initial four-line expansion phase of the city’s modern light rail system, significantly extending its reach and capacity.

Who operates the Casablanca tramway system?

The Casablanca tramway is operated by RATP Dev Casablanca. This is a subsidiary of the French public transport group RATP Dev, which manages the system’s daily operations, maintenance, and customer service under a contract with the project owner, Casa Transports.