The number of passengers using the Casablanca tramway lines 1 and 2, in service since December 2012 and January 2019, has increased with now more than 220,000 passengers per day in the network, the French company said in a press release.
In order to address the growing mobility demand, Casa Transports has been missioned by public authorities to extend around 26 km of tramway lines and purchase new rolling stock.
Alstom has previously supplied 124 Citadis x02, the power supply and the signalling equipment for line 1 & 2.
“We are pleased to pursue our contribution to the development and modernization of the Moroccan urban network thanks to our proven mobility solutions that benefit from the very latest technological innovations. We are very proud with this new order and of Casa Transports’ trust and confidence in Alstom’s Citadis solution. With a total fleet of at least 256 Citadis to be operated in Morocco, more people in Casablanca will be able to commute comfortably” said Nourddine Rhalmi, President of Alstom in Morocco.
The new Citadis trams for Casablanca will operate in double units of 64 meters, which will carry up to 630 passengers each. The full low-floor and the 12 side doors facilitate passenger flow and enable access for all, including people with reduced mobility.
As per Casa Transport, the new generation of tramway will be equipped with the latest passenger information systems. Furthermore, in line with Casa Transport requirements, Alstom proposes a design reflecting the history and culture of Casablanca.
The Citadis trams will be manufactured partly in Barcelona and many suppliers based in Morocco will participate to produce subsystems that will be integrated, as well, in Spain.
Also, the Alstom factory in Fez will provide the electrical cabins and loomings, the source added.
Alstom has been present in Morocco for a century. With more than 500 employees, Alstom has completed a number of key projects, including the delivery of 190 Citadis X02 trams to the cities of Rabat (66 Trams) and Casablanca (124 Trams), 12 Avelia Euroduplex trains for the high-speed line that links Tangier to Casablanca and 50 Prima locomotives providing the best solutions for freight, passenger and mixed transport services.
Thanks to the new plant in Fez, Alstom is able to increase the production of cables for rail applications as well as electrical switchboxes that are supplied to its European plants and mounted on trains exported around the world.