Casablanca – Morocco is moving ahead with another phase of its railway modernization program after the National Railways Office (ONCF) launched an international tender for the construction of new stations on the Casablanca Regional Express Rail (RER) network. The project, valued at approximately $41.2 million, is designed to expand suburban rail services in the country’s largest metropolitan area and improve connections between residential districts, industrial zones, educational centers, and emerging urban developments.

The tender marks another step in the broader modernization of Morocco’s rail infrastructure, which has seen significant investment in recent years through high-speed rail expansion, conventional railway upgrades, and the development of urban and regional transport systems aimed at supporting population growth and economic.

According to the tender documents, the project involves the construction of eight new RER stations across the Casablanca metropolitan area. The works have been divided into two contracts with a combined estimated value of approximately $41.2 million.

The first contract is valued at around $18.6 million and covers the construction of stations serving Mohammedia Universities, Zenata Industrial Zone, Sidi Bernoussi, and Aïn Sebaâ. These locations are expected to improve rail access to areas that combine educational facilities, industrial activities, and densely populated neighborhoods.

The second contract, valued at approximately $22.7 million, includes new stations at Hay Mohammadi, Casablanca Oasis, Mers Sultan, Sidi Maârouf, and Nouaceur New Town. These areas represent a mix of residential districts, business centers, and rapidly developing suburban communities that continue to experience growing transport demand.

The tender documents specify that companies bidding for the first contract must provide a provisional financial guarantee of approximately $278,000, while bidders for the second contract are required to submit a provisional guarantee of around $340,000.

ONCF stated that bids will be opened at its Institute for Training and Skills Development in Rabat, where the evaluation process will determine the contractor responsible for carrying out the project.

The overall implementation period has been set at 22 months, beginning from the official notice to proceed issued by the project owner.

According to the tender specifications, the construction schedule includes every stage required to deliver the stations into operation. These stages include engineering studies, procurement of equipment and materials, civil engineering works, installation of railway infrastructure, testing, commissioning, and the completion of any outstanding corrective work before the facilities are officially placed into service.

The new stations are expected to become part of Casablanca’s Regional Express Rail system, which is intended to provide frequent commuter rail services linking the city’s urban center with surrounding municipalities and expanding suburban areas.

Casablanca remains Morocco’s largest economic hub and the country’s busiest urban area, generating substantial daily travel demand from commuters moving between residential neighborhoods, industrial parks, commercial districts, universities, and business centers. Population growth and continued urban expansion have increased pressure on the city’s transport infrastructure, prompting authorities to invest in additional public transport capacity.

The planned stations are distributed across areas that play different roles within the metropolitan economy. Several will serve established industrial zones that employ large numbers of workers, while others will improve accessibility for residential communities, university campuses, and newly developed urban districts. The inclusion of Nouaceur New Town also reflects the continuing expansion of Casablanca’s southern metropolitan corridor, where residential, logistics, and commercial developments have accelerated in recent years.

The RER expansion is expected to complement other transport investments currently underway in Casablanca, including upgrades to tramway and bus networks, as authorities seek to create a more integrated public transport system capable of accommodating future growth.

The railway investment also aligns with Morocco’s broader strategy of expanding rail infrastructure nationwide. In recent years, the country has continued investing in both high-speed and conventional rail projects to strengthen passenger mobility and freight transportation while supporting regional economic development.

Rail transport has become an increasingly important component of Morocco’s infrastructure strategy due to its capacity to move large numbers of passengers efficiently while reducing dependence on road transport. Expanding commuter rail services is also expected to contribute to lower traffic congestion, shorter travel times, and improved connectivity between employment centers and residential areas.

The latest tender follows several major railway investments announced across the country, reflecting continued efforts to modernize the national rail network. These projects include the extension of high-speed rail infrastructure, upgrades to existing railway corridors, station modernization programs, and the expansion of urban and regional rail services designed to accommodate growing passenger demand.

Although the current project focuses on station construction, the new facilities are expected to support future increases in train frequency and improve accessibility across the wider Casablanca region as the RER network continues to develop.

Once completed, the eight new stations are expected to strengthen the city’s commuter rail system by providing additional access points for passengers, improving connections between key economic zones and residential districts, and supporting the long-term expansion of public transportation in Morocco’s largest metropolitan area. The project also represents another investment in the country’s ongoing efforts to expand rail infrastructure as part of wider plans to improve urban mobility and support future economic growth.