Morocco to Crack Down on Unauthorized Ride-Hailing Apps, Develop National Mobility Charter

Responding to a written question from the Haraki group in the House of Representatives, Mohamed Abdeljalil affirmed that the provision of passenger transport services via unauthorized digital applications and platforms constitutes an activity contrary to the laws and regulations in force and that his department adopts an approach based on coordination with the competent services of the Ministry of the Interior and the stakeholders concerned, in order to eradicate this phenomenon, reports the site Al3omk. He also said that his ministry intends to carry out a study aimed at developing a national charter for the development of sustainable and inclusive mobility, in order to establish the fundamental principles and objectives on which the future mobility and transport system of the kingdom should be based. This charter will address several issues, including how to manage these new methods of transportation in Morocco, particularly in urban areas.

The legal and regulatory provisions in force regarding road passenger transport, in particular Dahir No. 1.63.260 of 24 Joumada II 1383 (12 November 1963) relating to transport by motor vehicles on the roads, as amended and supplemented, as well as the implementing texts, impose the obligation for road passenger transport service providers to the public to obtain prior authorization to carry out this activity, as well as specific authorizations for each vehicle used for this purpose, Abdeljalil recalled.

When questioned on the issue during a press conference following the Council of Government at the end of March, the minister had indicated that the regulation of transport through smart applications remains dependent on the consensus between the various stakeholders in the public transport sector, including small and large taxis and buses, regarding the introduction of this type of transport. He also highlighted the specific characteristics of the Moroccan transport system and emphasized the important role played by small and large taxis in the mobility of a large number of public transport users, in comparison with other countries that have multiple alternative means of transport. The ministry is working on the development of a study aimed at developing a future vision of mobility throughout the Kingdom in order to upgrade the public transport sector, Abdeljalil had noted.