Tangier’s Summer Tourism Surge Strains Public Transportation System

Obtaining a spot in a taxi or bus in Tangier is a real battle for hundreds of vacationers. Whether near the most crowded beach area or its surroundings, many citizens find themselves stuck at bus or taxi stops, whose limited number can no longer meet this influx of vacationers wishing to return to their residences. A daily sight. At the taxi station in the Achakar region, while a large number of citizens are waiting for a taxi to arrive, overcrowded buses, filled with many passengers, are circulating. The drivers don’t even pay attention to the other people blocked at the bus or taxi stops. The situation is "catastrophic," says Zakaria, interviewed by Tanja24. According to him, "a person can spend hours waiting for a bus or taxi without finding any means of transport." Many people are then "forced to give up going to the beach," adds this young man accompanied by two of his friends.

In addition to the difficulty in finding transportation, citizens are suffering from the surge in road transport prices. The price of taxis connecting the different neighborhoods to the beach destinations has increased by at least 25%. "It’s a blatant exploitation," fumes Fatima about the price of taxi services. This young woman has to pay a higher amount than the fixed rate to reach the beach destination known as Playa Blanca in a grand taxi.

The scarcity of the available supply and the high demand for public transportation during the summer season risk jeopardizing the tourist activity in Tangier.