Bus Fares Surge in Morocco Ahead of Eid al-Fitr as Fuel Subsidies End

Currently, the prices of bus tickets connecting certain cities in the southeast of the kingdom have reached 180 dirhams, compared to 150 dirhams previously. This price increase observed on the eve of Eid al-Fitr is due to "the absence of government subsidy on fuels," explains Mustapha El Kayhel, secretary general of the Moroccan Democratic Union of Labor, interviewed by Hespress.

Professionals have suffered losses due to the suspension of this subsidy, which continues to be the subject of debate between the government and industry players. "The road transport sector is currently in agony, and with the absence of government support suspended since the last tranche of last May, the suffering is increasing considerably," he said.

Recalling that "Eid al-Fitr generally records a lower influx than that observed during Eid al-Adha," the professional adds that the price increase noted at the end of Ramadan "must be linked to the fuel issue," also denouncing the lack of control by the competent authorities with regard to other transport sectors which, despite the support of the State, increase prices.

For his part, Ahmed Saber, national secretary of the National Union of Taxi Professionals, said that "the prices of grand taxi tickets will remain stable during the Eid period," stressing that the price increase observed as Eid al-Fitr approaches "does not differ from that of last year".