Morocco's Railway Renaissance: ONCF Reports Surge in Passenger Numbers and Revenue

Morocco's National Railway Office (ONCF) has announced a significant boost in passenger traffic and revenue for the first half of 2024, marking a notable upswing in the country's rail transportation sector.

The state-owned railway operator reported a 7% increase in passenger numbers, with 26.4 million travelers using its services during this period. This surge in ridership translated to revenues exceeding 1.26 billion Moroccan dirhams ($126 million), an 8% rise compared to the same period in 2023.

A standout performer in ONCF's portfolio was the high-speed train "Al Boraq," which saw a remarkable 14% increase in passengers, carrying more than 2.6 million people in the first six months of 2024. This growth underscores the increasing popularity of sustainable mobility options among Moroccan commuters and travelers.

The freight sector also experienced substantial growth, with transported volumes climbing by 32% to reach 9 million tons. This increase was primarily driven by a 68% surge in phosphate transport, contributing to a 23% rise in revenue from freight and phosphate transportation, totaling 815 million dirhams ($81.5 million).

ONCF's consolidated revenue painted an even more impressive picture, rising by 16% to surpass 2.55 billion dirhams ($255 million) by the end of June. The company's internal revenue, reflecting its core operational activities, grew by 12% to nearly 2.18 billion dirhams ($218 million).

Despite these significant increases in service provision and revenue, ONCF managed to reduce its debt by 4%, bringing it down to 41.9 billion dirhams ($4.19 billion). This financial prudence, coupled with investment expenditures of 811 million dirhams ($81.1 million) aimed at maintaining performance and improving service quality, demonstrates ONCF's commitment to sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.

Looking ahead, ONCF is embarking on an ambitious development phase that includes plans to extend high-speed rail lines, expand regional express networks, and acquire new rolling stock through 2030. These initiatives are expected to further enhance Morocco's railway infrastructure and service offerings.

In line with global environmental concerns, ONCF has also made strides in reducing its carbon footprint. Despite the increase in train travel, the company achieved a 20% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, as reported in its 2023 carbon footprint report.

The railway operator's success is not limited to its core transportation services. In collaboration with Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT), ONCF launched a multimedia campaign in July 2024 to boost national tourism and promote regional travel. This initiative offered travelers discounted fares, with prices starting as low as 89 dirhams ($8.90) for high-speed Al Boraq lines and 49 dirhams ($4.90) for Atlas trains.

As Morocco continues to invest in and modernize its railway infrastructure, ONCF's strong performance signals a positive trajectory for the country's transportation sector, promising enhanced mobility, economic growth, and sustainable development in the years to come.