Nine new stations for Casablanca’s planned Regional Express Network (RER) will be built under two contracts worth a combined MAD 470.72m. The National Railways Office (ONCF) awarded both contracts to construction company GIDNA SARL. The first contract is worth MAD 214.52m, excluding tax. It covers Mohammedia Facultés, Zenata Industrielle, Sidi Bernoussi and Aïn Sebaâ. The second contract is worth MAD 256.2m and covers Hay Mohammedia, Mers Sultan, Casa Oasis, Sidi Maârouf and Nouaceur Nouvelle Ville.
The two contracts were initially estimated at MAD 180m and MAD 220m.
GIDNA was selected after ONCF reviewed the administrative, technical and financial bids. The selection followed the “lowest compliant offer” rule.
The RER is part of a MAD 20bn rail programme for the Casablanca area. The programme aims to improve public transport ahead of the 2030 Fifa World Cup.
The network will cover 92km and is expected to start operating in late 2029. The target is to carry about 180,000 passengers a day by 2030.
Trains will run every seven minutes and 30 seconds during peak periods.
The nine stations will connect with existing tramway, busway and bus services. They will also have shops, parking areas, passenger drop-off zones, air conditioning and level boarding for people with reduced mobility.
Four stations — Mohammedia Facultés, Zenata Industrielle, Sidi Bernoussi and Aïn Sebaâ — will serve university and industrial areas.
The other five stations will serve residential, commercial and business areas, including the Sidi Maârouf business district.
A full RER train could replace about 1,300 cars on Casablanca’s roads when running at full capacity.
GIDNA, short for Global Infrastructure Development North Africa, was founded in 2006 and is based in Casablanca. The company works in construction, civil engineering, structural work and steel structures.
Its previous projects include schools, hospitals, hotels, data centres, homes, factories, warehouses and logistics facilities.
The RER is being developed alongside the extension of the Al Boraq high-speed railway from Kenitra to Marrakech. The two projects will help separate commuter services from long-distance high-speed trains.
ONCF is also working on plans to build or modernise more than 20 railway stations in major cities across the country.
