Rabat – Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) has affirmed it has expanded its services to passengers, with approximately 52.8 million passengers welcomed in ONCF trains in 2023, a 15% increase over 2022.
“The Al Boraq high-speed train, which blew out its fifth candle, continues to establish itself as an icon of sustainable mobility and a vector of change, carrying more than five million passengers in 2023, up by 24% on 2022,” the office stated in a press release.
The same source added that this activity produced sales of around MAD 2.55 billion ($252 million), up 17% from the end of 2022, and that consolidated sales increased by 6%, from MAD 4.59 billion ($454 million) in 2022 to MAD 4.88 billion ($483 million) in 2023.
Additionally, ONCF predicts that by the end of 2023, capital expenditures (CAPEX) of MAD 1.13 billion ($111 million) will be made, primarily for the purpose of updating the rail network and preserving performance and service quality.
In keeping with the office’s plan to keep its debt under control, debt at the end of 2023 was MAD 43.9 billion ($4 billion), down 3% from 2022.
According to the press release, ONCF is starting 2024 by running 90% of its electric trains on green energy as part of the office’s aim and resolve to meet its green transformation objectives.
“This choice enables considerable optimization of the energy bill and substantial mitigation of the carbon footprint of rail operations, thus reinforcing its position as the backbone of sustainable mobility,” the press release concluded.
The train operator is working hard to decarbonize every part of its operations, in order to reach its objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
The ONCF stated that it is systematically completing impact assessments for its main projects and is progressively certifying its rail sites to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
In addition, ONCF uses photovoltaic (solar) energy technology in its buildings and stations, has implemented an eco-driving system, and does an annual evaluation of its carbon footprint.
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