Casablanca: BRTs have been running since March 13
Only a few weeks left before the official launch of the Bus Rapid Transit or Casabusway in Casablanca. A hundred drivers started training sessions on Monday, March 13. The people of Casablanca thus saw their busway crisscross Al Qods Boulevard , in the area between the Al Moustakbal crossroads and the Taddart crossroads.
This is the start of the first training session for Casabusway drivers, conducted by the RATP Dev Casablanca company, future operator of the two lines. For this first session, lasting 2 weeks, two vehicles are used. Training will continue until the end of June 2023, and a total of 102 drivers will be trained. This step is essential to guarantee the proper functioning of the new mode of transport in its own lane and to ensure a secure service for users. A trial run, on the other hand, is scheduler from the start of June 2023. During these two phases, the busway (or BRT, for Bus Rapid Transit as it is also most often called) will run empty on the entire line, without passengers, under real traffic conditions. Currently, in addition to the tests in progress, the project is in the phase of setting up ticketing equipment and other equipment, operating and traveler information support systems, as well as traffic light signals. As a reminder, the fleet of these 2 new lines is made up of around forty articulated Mercedes ‘‘Citaro L’’ buses with an integral low floor, 21 meter long, 2.55 meter wide, and 3.12 meter high. These bendy buses will provide the Casabusway service from July 01, 2023 onwards. Their overall cost is around 230 million Dirhams (USD 23 million) . These will be the first 21-meter-long bus vehicles in Morocco offering access through 4 double doors, and with a capacity on board of 168 passengers, including 58 seats. Made in Germany and purchased from the Daimler Evobus & Auto Nejma Maroc SA group, the busways are air-conditioned and equipped with security cameras, USB chargers, dynamic information screens, and wheelchair access. Nicknamed tram on tires, the BRT complements the public transport offering in Casablanca, with the same performance and quality of service as the Tramway. In addition, the same ticket allows access to both modes of transport.
Aziza EL AFFAS
