Tangier-Casablanca TGV to be operational by 2013

The high-speed rail "TGV" linking the northern city of Tangier and Casablanca will be operational by 2013, and is anticipated to carry 8 million passengers the first year, Director General of the State-owned railway company (ONCF) said on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting with operators to discover on the company's projects in this region, Rabie Khlie pointed out that this TGV line will require a USD 2.7 billion investment.

18 TGV wagons are needed for this project that will contribute to reducing the duration of the trip between the two economic poles to 2h10 instead of 5h45 now, he said.

The company will also take part in some USD 755 million investment in the northern region, including building a railway line between Tangier and Tangier-Med port (43km), improving the Tangier-Casablanca railway line and modernizing many train stations.