The city of Mohammedia is experiencing accelerated expansion and urbanization which have had repercussions on its increasingly dense road traffic. In this context, public transport, particularly urban transport, is struggling to meet the needs of citizens. "The problem of transport is increasingly worrying; it raises the eternal problem of the difficulties of urban mobility. A major challenge that requires an upgrading of the sector," affirms an elected official of the city. And to add that efforts have been made to compensate for the weak structure of the road network, but much remains to be done to manage the massive movements of public transport users. A priority sector and vector of socio-economic development, urban transport in Mohammedia and its region is faced with serious problems that have repercussions on users. The state of certain buses and taxis leaves something to be desired.
Added to this is the lack of civic-mindedness of certain drivers who do not respect the provisions of the Highway Code: overloading, speeding... Old small taxis continue to circulate without undergoing technical inspection, whereas the decree of January 24, 1953, relating to traffic police, imposes on taxis, as on all public passenger transport, technical inspections at centres approved by the Ministry of Transport. "Normally, taxis of all categories combined are subject to permanent cleanliness and hygiene checks. The check should focus on the state of the vehicle, preventive treatment against insects and parasites, and the elimination of unpleasant odours.
The dress and discipline of the drivers should also be monitored because they further enhance their function with the clientele," a taxi driver confides to us. And to add that the infractions of certain taxi drivers harm the image of this profession. Regarding buses, regulars of this mode of transport deplore the service of certain delegates who prioritize profit to the detriment of the comfort and safety of passengers.
"The buses are not maintained and are often overloaded. The drivers do not respect the mandatory stops," affirms a public transport user. The same sentiment is echoed by certain elected officials who are calling for a turnaround in this situation and respect for the specifications.
"The transport situation is even more worrying at the level of school and university transport. The deficit in vehicles has repercussions on students and other users who pile up inside the buses with all the risks that this entails," we learn from a municipal employee. "The ordeal is daily," specifies this student at the Hassan II University of Mohammedia. "Bus drivers often refuse to stop to transport students even if they pay a monthly contribution. The municipality must activate its administrative police for more control".
Indeed, the installation of a device allowing for the control of bus and taxi drivers will make it possible to improve the quality of public transport in Mohammedia and even to reduce traffic accidents.
Anarchy at the level of bus line no. 1
Bus line no. 1 continues to record several abuses, despite the change of delegate. "The buses serving this line do not respect the provisions of the specifications. They stop wherever they want; some vehicles are in a bad state. The seats and windows are broken, not to mention speeding and other abuses," emphasizes a user of this line.
According to professionals in this sector, the change of delegates will not solve the ills of public transport in any way. For them, an adapted urban travel plan, the consolidation of infrastructure, effective signage, and the creation of a bus station are the main actions to be undertaken to put an end to the anarchy.
