Africa’s very first substantial-speed rail line celebrates successful opening year

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Africa’s to start with significant-velocity rail line, in Morocco, has just celebrated its 1st birthday with superior than envisioned efficiency.

The services, branded Al Boraq, connects the northern port of Tangier with the funds, Rabat, and the most important business hub, Casablanca. The line took 7 yrs to build.

French-constructed TGV trains depart from every single conclude of the line every single hour, on the hour, from 6am to 9pm (apart from for a gap at 1pm).

The 225-mile journey usually takes 2 hours 10 minutes, with trains able of reaching 186mph. Formerly services took a lot more than two times as lengthy.

Only a person in 30 trains is late.

On the UK’s flagship rail route, the East Coast main line, a person in four LNER trains comes much more than 10 minutes at the rear of agenda.

Around the yr, passenger numbers have averaged 9,000 for each working day, with fare revenue masking functioning charges. One-3rd extra people are utilizing the coach on the Casablanca-Rabat-Tangier corridor.

The cheapest off-peak ticket for the entire size of the line prices £12, with the most high-priced fare – initially course peak – priced at the equal of £29.

In the upcoming two a long time, Morocco intends to join another 20 metropolitan areas by rail – together with Essaouira and Agadir, well-known with British travellers.

The intention is to deliver 87 for each cent of the inhabitants with access to trains – alternatively of 51 for each cent at present. 

The nationwide operator, ONCF, will also join 14 airports by rail at current, only Casablanca has a educate link to the airport.

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