In recent years, Morocco has witnessed an ongoing debate on the escalating clashes and rivalry between public and private transportation services — particularly taxis and ride-sharing applications.
The controversy comes amid an alarming crisis in transportation, which authorities have frequently pledged to address.
This debate comes as reports alleged that Morocco has been vowing to ban any illegal app-based transport services in the country amid appeals, calling on the government to regulate these services.
This crisis also coincides with Morocco’s plan to host prestigious events like next year’s AFCON tournament and the World Cup in 2030.
Such sporting events bring and attract millions of tourists in addition to locals, creating a situation that requires fully equipped logistics, infrastructure, and particularly smooth transportation mechanisms.
This means that an efficient transportation system is key in dealing with the influx of visitors and supporting the successful hosting of similar prestigious events.
The controversial crisis between taxis and privately owned transportation services however presents challenges regarding how Morocco can effectively manage such high-profile events.
Many taxi drivers oppose ride-sharing applications, advocating and appealing to expel operators from the country.
In recent months, videos surfaced showing taxi drivers and ride-sharing apps’ drivers in intense clashes.
Footage also depicts attacks on drivers working for services like Indrive and other similar platforms.
One of the recent incidents took place in March, showing a violent attack in Casablanca by taxi drivers against a ridesharing driver– apparently working with InDrive.
The situation reignited debate over the legitimacy of taxi drivers’ preposition to ridesharing apps.
The situation has divided public opinion, with some defending taxi drivers — while others supporting ride-sharing services — stressing their contribution to Morocco’s transportation options.
Read Also: Clash of the Cabs Continues Amid Taxi Drivers’ Rejection of Ridesharing Apps in Morocco
The situation has also prompted concerns among human rights groups, who called on the government to regulate app-based transportation to avert further violence.
In March, the National Organization for Human Rights and Defense of Individual Rights issued a statement denouncing the violent incident, noting that similar acts tarnished Morocco’s public image and security as well as the tourism industry.
“The existing disputes between these two sectors of transportation must be regulated, and a compromise must be found between them while considering the customers’ demands,” the statement stresses.
The NGO further argues that customers have been complaining about mistreatment by taxi drivers, noting that “some taxi drivers’ behavior drive customers to prefer app-based transportation ” despite lacking the necessary documents to operate in the sector.
“We also demand putting an end to some disgraceful behaviors harming the urban transportation sector by some taxi drivers, and we have evidence of this,” the statement added.
The government frequently commented on the situation, responding to concerns about the lack of regulations on ridesharing apps.
Minister of Transportation Mohamed Abdeljalil said in March that there is a need for consensus among stakeholders in the public sector to introduce provisions like regulations on ridesharing apps.
“Regulating transportation cannot be achieved unless all stakeholders in public transportation, including small and large taxis and buses are ready to enter this type of transportation into the market,” the minister said.
He further clarified that the country’s transportation system has its specificities and that “small and grand taxis are fulfilling an important role and providing services for Moroccan citizens as they handle the primary public transport needs in Morocco.
The ministry is working on launching a study related to developing a future vision for mobility across the kingdom to prepare the transportation sector, he concluded.
