Taxi Drivers Block Student Bus in Casablanca, Sparking Outrage

The attitude of the taxi drivers aroused the discontent of the students who denounce a violation of their right to secure travel. Activists on social networks have also expressed their indignation following this incident, calling on the competent authorities to guarantee the rights of the students and to provide them with adequate means of transport. Some have demanded that firm measures be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents caused by certain taxi drivers who sow chaos in the city of Casablanca.

The behavior of the taxi drivers is "legitimate, since the vehicle did not display any sign confirming its belonging to an association dedicated to the transport of students," declared the secretary general of the Moroccan Democratic Union of Labor, the union in charge of the taxi sector, adding that "the usual route of the bus is the passenger station, and it should circulate on its dedicated roads, and not through the city."

In a statement to Al3omk, he explained that "when the taxi drivers discovered the bus transporting the students, they stopped it to verify that it was not operating as an illegal transport, which has caused significant damage to the professionals in the sector," stressing that "the allegedly responsible association for providing this bus for the students should affix a clear symbol or mark to identify the vehicle."

The trade unionist called for "stopping the dissemination of a negative image of taxi professionals," affirming that "taxi drivers in Casablanca are suffering greatly from the chaos caused by illegal transport and are facing daily difficulties." "Some people persist in presenting the professionals as the instigators of this disorder, when in reality they contribute to revealing this chaos, which the authorities must imperatively eradicate to guarantee the safety and well-being