Marrakech – The Moroccan government allocates MAD 3,6 Billion to a program aimed at“supporting the renewal of grand taxis”, said Minister Delegate tthe Interior Ministry, Charki Draiss, before the Council of Advisors on Tuesday.
In a response to a question raised by the Independence party group regarding “the Program of the renewal of grand taxis”, the Minister said that this one-year program, which is optional, includes a procedure of granting MAD 80,000 to car owners, which would enable them to replace their old taxis.
There are approximately 55,000 grand taxis, also known as white taxis, offering transportation services all over Morocco. Casablanca alone has about 6,500.
Most of the taxis are the Mercedes 240 Diesel model and are more than 30 years old. These are well past their “expiration date,” but are still roaming the streets of Morocco, uncomfortably carrying six passengers plus the driver at one time.
The Minister noted that the program aims to meet the demands grand taxi car owners and follows in the steps of a si;ilar program that was devoted to small taxis in 2010 and benefited 6,000 people.
Edited by Kristina Fried
