Every major city has its own urban legends. In New York, it’s the tale of alligators lurking in the sewers. In Casablanca, it’s the long-promised metro that never seems to materialize! Some things, it seems, Casa residents might wait for their entire lives—like traffic-free streets, a taxi that doesn’t refuse a ride, and of course, the elusive metro system.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s economic capital, a bustling metropolis of over five million people and the third-largest city in Africa, continues to struggle with its urban mobility—or rather, to make its residents struggle. For decades, the idea of a metro has been at the center of discussions on how to ease congestion and improve transportation. Yet, despite numerous studies and proposed plans, the city still hasn’t taken the leap.
So why, after all these years, does Casablanca still not have a metro?
An ambitious yet “too costly” project
If one train can hide another, in Casablanca, we’re still waiting for the first! The idea of a metro system in the city isn’t new—it dates back to the 1970s and was even formalized to some extent in the 1980s. However, the project was repeatedly abandoned due to “geographical and financial constraints.”
In 2013, a new plan emerged: a 15-kilometer elevated metro line connecting Sidi Moumen to the Corniche, near the iconic Hassan II Mosque. The estimated cost? A staggering nine billion dirhams (around 800 million euros). However, by June 2014, the municipal council scrapped the project, citing excessive costs and technical challenges. And so, Casablanca’s metro has remained confined to PowerPoint presentations and wishful thinking.
Faced with these financial and technical obstacles, the city opted for more “affordable” and “better-suited” alternatives. The tramway, inaugurated in December 2012, became a resounding success, boasting a 31-kilometer line with 48 stations. By 2014, studies for a second tram line were already underway, led by engineering firm Systra. Additionally, the development of high-level bus rapid transit (BRT) lines was proposed to complement the city’s public transport network.
Technical and geographical challenges, coupled with uncertain profitability
Building a metro—whether underground or elevated—is no small feat. Casablanca’s coastal location presents significant geological challenges, including a high water table and unstable soil conditions, making tunneling operations both complex and expensive. Moreover, the city’s dense urban fabric and existing infrastructure further complicate planning and construction.
That being said, Casablanca is not the only city to face such difficulties. Around the world, cities have overcome similar obstacles to develop metro systems. Tokyo and Istanbul, both in seismic zones, have engineered shock-absorbing metro structures. Mexico City, built on an ancient lake bed, has tackled land subsidence issues. Athens had to navigate high water tables and archeological discoveries, while Cairo implemented advanced drainage techniques to mitigate the impact of the Nile. These examples prove that, with the right engineering solutions, even the most challenging environments can accommodate a metro.
Beyond construction costs, operating a metro requires continuous investment in maintenance and management. Many metro networks worldwide are not profitable and rely heavily on government subsidies. For Casablanca, economic viability is a crucial factor—especially in a context where financial resources are limited and other urban priorities demand substantial investments.
Rather than betting everything on a single transport mode, Casablanca’s authorities have taken a multimodal approach, combining tramways, BRT systems, and improvements to road and pedestrian infrastructure. The goal is to create an integrated, flexible transport network that can adapt to the city’s growing population and evolving urban landscape.
A future possibility or just another mirage?
Despite past failures, the idea of a metro in Casablanca hasn’t been entirely abandoned. In 2019, during an urban mobility conference, experts from consultancy firms Systra & Transitec revisited the concept of a suspended aerial metro as a potential solution. This alternative would require less space and offer higher passenger capacity. However, no concrete steps have been taken since, and the metro remains a distant dream for the city.
With Casablanca set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, one might have hoped the metro project would gain renewed urgency. But for now, it remains just another topic in urban mobility discussions—always present, yet never truly advancing.
Perhaps one day, the stars will align, the budget will be found, and Casablanca will finally see its metro come to life. Until then, residents can only cross their fingers—and keep braving the daily traffic jams.
Mohamed MOUNADI
