Casablanca (Morocco)
Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco, is located in the western part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the largest city in the Maghreb, as well as one of the largest and most important cities in Africa, both economically and demographically.
As Morocco's largest city and business center, Casablanca suffers from infernal traffic congestion, related air pollution and insufficient public transit. The municipal government has yet to realize longstanding plans for a subway system, but has recently completed a $1.6 billion tramway that connects much of the city's east and west sections via the center. Such lines are becoming a global trend, promoted as environmentally sustainable and socially equitable urban renewal.
The development of the system of public transport in Casablanca started in the fifties and is considered one of the oldest in Africa. To cope with the strong increasing urbanization in a region with more than 11 million daily trips, local authorities have undertaken the development of an urban transport plan (PDU) in 2009. With proactive and ambitious goals, the PDU is the results of an efficient, integrated and modern urban transport.
The first result of this plan was the launch of the first tramway line in December 2012. With a line of 31 km and 48 stops tram provide service to the city center and peripheral mixed social component areas. To ensure a sustainable public transport planning, Casablanca is the only City in the Partner Countries of the European EuroMed Road, Rail and Urban Transport - EuroMed RRU - to have established a transport authority. The AODU (Organizing Authority for Urban Transport) founded in 2008 together with Casa Transport Company are responsible for the public transport lines by ensuring a successful integration of public transport.
