The New Era of Taxis in Morocco: Ending the Clash with Ride-Hailing Services

In a bid to quell the escalating tensions between traditional taxi services and ride-hailing applications during the peak summer season, Morocco's Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, has unveiled a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at modernizing and streamlining the nation's taxi sector. These measures, crafted in response to a parliamentary inquiry from Nabil Dakhch of the Haraki (Popular Movement) group, seek to enhance the quality of taxi services nationwide.

Laftit elucidated that his ministry is implementing an "integrated and participatory action plan" to professionalize the taxi industry, improve services, and adapt them to the needs of all users, be they Moroccan citizens, residents, or foreign tourists. Acknowledging the vital role of the taxi sector in supporting economic and social development across various territorial domains, the minister emphasized the central and regional authorities' close supervision of its operations.

Regulatory Framework: Balancing Operations and Driver Conduct

Empowered by law, regional authorities are tasked with incorporating operational decisions pertaining to taxi service conditions, professional standards, and adherence to quality norms and driver conduct. Recognizing the pivotal role of drivers in shaping the sector's image and service quality, these decisions encompass the issuance of "trust licenses" and the delineation of service delivery guidelines and customer relations management.

Disciplinary Measures: Upholding Professionalism

Laftit underscored the collaborative efforts between regional authorities and security services in combating practices that contravene existing laws and regulations. Disciplinary actions, ranging from temporary suspensions to permanent revocation of trust licenses and vehicle permits, are imposed on offenders, ensuring a robust system of accountability.

Illustrating this commitment, the minister cited the city of Marrakech, where 317 trust licenses were withdrawn for periods ranging from one to six months between January 2023 and February 2024, while 15 additional licenses were temporarily suspended pending judicial decisions.

Nationwide Standardization: A Unified Approach

The ministry's oversight extends to monitoring the work of regional authorities and unifying baseline regulations across all prefectures and provinces through ministerial delegations dispatched regularly to ensure consistent implementation.

Modernizing the Sector: Technological Integration

Recognizing the need for modernization, Laftit revealed the ministry's adoption of a program to renew the taxi fleet, which has yielded "very satisfying results" in improving the quality of both small and large-scale taxi services. Partnerships with relevant sectors have also been forged to enhance and standardize training programs for professional drivers.

Furthermore, the minister expressed his support for initiatives aimed at integrating modern communication technologies into taxi services, facilitating real-time interactions between drivers and passengers, and introducing pre-booking mechanisms for airport and rail station arrivals.

Infrastructural Upgrades: Revitalizing Taxi Stands

In collaboration with local authorities and municipalities, efforts are underway to establish and regulate taxi stands in accordance with urban and regional planning objectives. Existing stands are being updated, while new, exemplary facilities are being constructed in various prefectures and provinces, adhering to technical and logistical standards to ensure smooth traffic flow and high-quality services for both drivers and passengers.

As Morocco navigates the evolving landscape of transportation services, Laftit's comprehensive vision promises to usher in a new era for the taxi industry, one that harmonizes tradition with modernity, fostering a seamless and user-friendly experience for all.