13 Nov 2018 | 12:27 AM UTC
Morocco: Tangier-Casablanca high-speed rail service inaugurated Nov. 15
Morocco will inaugurate its new high-speed rail service on November 15; service will extend from Tangier to Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat
Event
Morocco will hold an inauguration ceremony for its new high-speed rail on Thursday, November 15. The new rail service will allow high-speed transit from Tangier to Casablanca, with service to Rabat, halving the current time of the trip. French President Emmanuel Macron will be in attendance for the ceremony.
Context
The new rail line built from Tangier to Kenitra will allow for rail travel at 320 km/h (200 mph), while an upgraded line from Kenitra to Casablanca will allow for speeds of 220 km/h (140 mph). The total trip will be reduced from nearly six hours to just over two hours. A second phase is slated to install a new full-speed track from Kenitra to Casablanca and upgraded tracks to Marrakesh.
Advice
Individuals in Morocco are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel reservations and options, and anticipate a heightened security presence around inauguration events.
