ONCF expands train service for Eid al Fitr travel surge

Tuesday 17 March 2026 - 11:15

By: Dakir Madiha

ONCF expands train service for Eid al Fitr travel surge

Morocco’s national railway operator ONCF has introduced a special transport plan for Eid al Fitr 1447 and the end of the school holiday period, expanding rail service across the country from March 17 to March 29, 2026. The company said the temporary schedule is designed to manage higher passenger demand during one of the busiest travel windows of the season while maintaining comfort and safety conditions on the network.

The plan includes additional trains and higher seat capacity on the routes expected to face the strongest outbound and return traffic around the Eid holiday. ONCF said the increase is aimed at the main corridors that typically absorb family and holiday travel during this period, which this year overlaps with the end of school vacations.

For Al Boraq high speed services, ONCF said trains will run with an hourly rhythm between Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for outbound travel, except during the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. time slot. Return services will operate hourly from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The company added that capacity will be reinforced during the busiest periods throughout the special operating window.

Conventional Al Atlas services will also be strengthened. ONCF said it would raise capacity and run extra trains on major lines, particularly the Marrakech, Casablanca and Fez axis, while also reinforcing services to Oujda, Nador, Khouribga and Safi. That adjustment extends the holiday response beyond the country’s largest urban centers and targets routes with sustained regional demand.

For rapid shuttle trains, known as TNR, ONCF said the normal pre Ramadan service on the Casa, Settat axis will be restored progressively before Eid al Fitr. On other suburban lines, the return to regular service will take place after Eid day. The company said this will include a train every 30 minutes between Casa Port and Kenitra, as well as one train every hour to and from Mohammed V International Airport.

ONCF said it is mobilizing operational, customer service and technical teams across the network to support the traffic surge. Reception, assistance and passenger guidance measures will be reinforced in stations and on board trains. Technical teams will remain on duty around the clock throughout the period to support traffic flow and continuity of operations.

The operator also advised passengers to buy tickets in advance and favor round-trip bookings to ease travel planning and reduce pressure during peak periods. Tickets are available through station counters, automatic ticket machines, the ONCF Voyages website, the ONCF Voyages mobile application and partner proximity sales agencies.

ONCF said train numbers will be reduced on the day of Eid itself. It urged travelers to check schedules through its official channels, including the ONCF Voyages website, the mobile application, the customer relations center, the M’ONCF chatbot and the company’s WhatsApp channel before departure. The special plan signals a targeted effort by the rail operator to manage holiday congestion on key national routes while preserving regular service standards during a compressed and high-demand travel period.