Rabat- After days of extension and renovation works, the Rabat-Sale tramway Line 2 will be fully operational starting on February 16, the Rabat-Sale Tramway Company announced today.
Line 2 connects Yacoub al Mansour in Rabat to Hay Moulay Ismail and Al Karia in Sale, known as Rabat’s “twin city.”.
The long-awaited news comes after the finalization earlier this month of a period of technical and rolling tests.
The new line extensions cover 7 kilometers and a total of 12 additional stations, benefitting the inhabitants of Rabat and Sale.
In Rabat, the tram extension will connect Yacoub El Mansour and Moulay Youssef hospital to Al Kifah avenue passing through Essalam avenue.
In Sale, the tramway extension covers 4.6 kilometers and 8 stations. It will link Hassan II avenue to the new Sale hospital, while passing by Zarbia avenue as well as the Hay Moulay Ismail and Al Quariat neighborhoods.
“The flagship mobility project of the Rabat-Sale Tramway, launched by King Mohammed VI, is part of the sovereign’s enlightened vision for the Capital of the Kingdom, giving pride of place to sustainable public projects that meet citizens’ expectations,” Rabat-Sale Tramway Company reported in a press release.
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In November 2021, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) proclaimed Rabat as the 2022 Islamic World Capital of Culture for the Arab Region. The decision reflects the long historical and cultural contributions of the city to the development of Morocco and the Islamic world. It also aligns with the Moroccan government’s decision to envision Rabat as the city of lights and Moroccan culture.
As the capital of Morocco, Rabat has also attracted public projects in several public sectors including infrastructure. In the 2019-2021 period, Morocco’s National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) mobilized a budget of MAD 927 million ($99 million) for the benefit of 2 million inhabitants of the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region.
Part of the budget was dedicated to improving local infrastructure and providing basic social services in the region. With a total budget of MAD 186 million ($19 million) invested in 116 regional projects, 98% of the targeted population (316,000 people) are expected to benefit from these projects.
39.34% of beneficiaries will profit from education projects, 37.32% from health, 13.11% from rural electrification, and 9.8% from drinking water supply (9.8%). Currently, 20 of these projects are in progress.
