Getting Around Morocco By Tram
This is the fourth article in the series about getting around Morocco.
My first experience with a metro system was a family vacation to Washington D.C. when I was in elementary school. Honestly I don’t remember much about the metro, other than at one point my parents realized that we were headed in the wrong direction. But Mom and Dad figured it out quickly and successfully navigated us back to our hotel in the suburbs of Virginia.
Fast forward to college, and my brother and I found ourselves navigating the more complex Paris metro system. This was my first trip to Europe and my first experience with a major metro system. At some point during our trip I decided to start collecting novelty coins from the different tourist sites in the city. What I realized is that I had missed a few places earlier in the trip, and my brother kindly obliged to travel with me back to those sites. The two of us split off from the group (with permission, obviously), and we traversed the city on foot and on metro to collect the precious souvenirs. The entire experience in Paris impacted the transportation nerd that I am, such that I purchased a mousepad of the metro map.
Finally fast forward to the present, and it is that very mousepad that I use to this day! I write this article finally living in a city that contains a metro system, Casablanca. There are only two places in Morocco that contain a metro system, with Rabat-Sale being the other. In comparison to Paris, the Casablanca metro (tram) network is basic…but at least it exists! Having grown up in the Seattle area lacking a metro system, I will take what I can get!
The article contains information that will help you should you decide to ride the metro/tramway in Casablanca. I have never ridden the metro in Rabat, but I imagine it is very similar. Here is the link for the Rabat-Sale tram website: https://www.tram-way.ma/fr/.
The nitty gritty
Website - I am really impressed by the website for the Casa tramway: https://www.casatramway.ma. The interactive map is very helpful and is the page that I frequent most. One of the weaknesses is that the page is only available in French or Arabic. However, Google Translate is a short click away for you English-only speakers.
Network - Currently there are two lines to the Casa tramway, with current plans to add more. The Casablanca metro system is fairly new, so the cars are generally clean and well-maintained. The City is in the process of building two more lines to double the existing network; additionally, the City is constructing two electric bus routes that will integrate with the tramway.
Lines T1 and T2 connect in three different locations of the city. T1 connects with the two major Casa train stations, L’Oasis and Voyageurs. T2 connects travelers to the beach at Ain Diab. None of the tram lines connect with the airport, Mohammed V, but the airport can be reached by train via the Casa train stations.
Tickets - Technically there are multiple ticket options; however, for the casual tourist the Rechargeable ticket (orange in color) is your most likely option. The cost of the ride is 6Dh, with an additional 2Dh charge for the actual ticket. You can buy the paper ticket for either one or two trips, so you are either going to pay 8Dh (for one ride) or 14 Dh (for two rides). The name of the ticket is a bit misleading, because you can’t actually recharge the ticket. Once the value on the ticket is gone, you just throw it away. Another ticket option is the Prepay ticket (white and purple) available for purchase at select stations. I was able to buy one of these cards at the Casa Voyageurs station for 50Dh. The price for the hard plastic card is 14DH, and it comes loaded with 6 rides. Theoretically, once I have ridden 6 times I can reload the card with additional trips. When purchasing a ticket at the tram stop, your safest bet to purchase the ticket is with COINS at the kiosk at the end of the station. The kiosk has language options of Arabic, French, and English. There is an option to pay with credit card, but for foreigners I’m not sure if this is usable unless you have a Moroccan bank card.
Riding - Once you have purchased your ticket, you will enter the open-air station by scanning your ticket at the turnstile. Make sure you enter the station on the side oriented in the direction you want to travel. Once the tram arrives, allow passengers inside the car to exit before you try to enter. If the door in front of you does not open, then press the flashing green button in the middle of the door. If the car is too full, then wait for the next tram arriving in usually 12 minutes or less. Inside the car, find a seat, grab a hand loop, or lean up against the thigh cushion/bar (it’s a real thing, don’t mock me). When exiting a station, you will scan your ticket again as you move through the turnstile.
Connections - The entire tramway system is open-air, and if you have to transfer between lines you will find yourself walking alongside the road (as opposed to being above or below ground). The ticket price includes transfers between lines, so you will not need to buy separate tickets for each ride. There are currently three locations where connections are possible, with walk times of 2-6 minutes between the adjacent stations.
As much as I love metros, I find that I do not often use the Casa tramway. Why? Because at its current state of two lines it is oftentimes faster and about the same price for my wife and I to travel by small taxi. We currently live 15 minutes walking from the closest tram stop, and many places we visit in the city are either within walking distance, or 15dh or less in a small taxi. Nonetheless, I still am fascinated by the metro, and I am excited that Casablanca is expanding its current network. Now, where can I find that mousepad for the Casablanca tramway?…