Cheap winter sun destination reveals plans for mega £7billion train route that would connect 43 African cities
TRAVELLING around Morocco is about to get a whole lot easier thanks to a multi-billion new train route.
The African country has revealed plans to expand their rail services by 2,300 miles by 2040.
Currently, 23 cities in Morocco are connected by train, but the project could increase that to 43.
This includes links to places like Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech, all popular destinations with Brit holidaymakers.
Costing around £4.3 billion will be the high-speed rail line between Kenitra to Marrakech.
With current travel times between Tangier and Marrakech taking around seven hours, the faster route could take just under three hours.
The high speed line could even eventually be extended to Agadir.
The new transport links aim to serve 87 per cent of the population with access to public transport, compared to the current 51 per cent.
And 12 international airports in Morocco could join the new train routes, as well as 12 ports to the rail network.
Currently, just one airport and six ports can be accessed by train.
The plans are set to cost MAD 96 billion which equates to £7.7 billion.
Morocco‘s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, called the project “ambitious” but added that it will “revolutionise” Morocco‘s transportation infrastructure.
Also part of the plans are 18 new high-speed trains and 150 multi-service trains around the country.
And around 40 current railway stations across Morocco could be redeveloped as part of the plans.
It’s even better news for locals though as the plan will also result in 300,000 new jobs across the country.
Al Boraq, is currently the only bullet train in the country, which has a top speed of 200mph stopping at Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca.
First launched in 2018, the travel time between Casablanca and Tangier was reduced from 4hr45 hours to 2hr10.
The hope is to improve public transport ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco will see hundreds more tourists descend on the country as it plans to host matches in Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Tangier.
A project is already underway to extend the line to Marrakesh via Casablanca International Airport in time for the 2030 World Cup.
A huge underwater tunnel could even connect Morocco to Spain.
First suggested in 1979, the 17-mile route would connect Madrid to Casablanca, with high-speed trains taking around 5hr30.