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Rabat– Authorities in Rabat have arrested three taxi drivers involved in a reckless pursuit of a private vehicle operating through a ridesharing application. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, unfolded near the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex on the Casablanca highway.
The chase resembled scenes from a Hollywood movie. It began at a bus station and involved three blue taxis pursuing a Peugeot.
According to converging reports, the taxi drivers accused the ridesharing driver of engaging in illegal transport services.
The video of the incident also showed the drivers verbally abusing the ridesharing operator, culminating in an ambush that caused material damage to the vehicles involved.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between traditional taxi drivers and ridesharing services in Morocco. Many taxi drivers continue to oppose app-based transport platforms, advocating for their expulsion from the country.
Over recent months, videos have consistently surfaced of heated confrontations between taxis and ride-sharing drivers, with most of these encounters involving physical attacks on drivers working for ridesharing services like Indrive and similar platforms.
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The violent rivalry sheds light on a broader debate over the coexistence of public and private transportation services in Morocco.
Amid a growing transportation crisis, authorities have repeatedly pledged to find solutions. Meanwhile, the continued controversy has also sparked discussions about regulating app-based services to balance competition and ensure fairness for all transportation providers.
Mohamed Abdeljalil, former Minister of Transportation, emphasized in March the importance of reaching a consensus among public transportation stakeholders to establish regulations for ridesharing applications.
“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,” Abdeljalil stated.
He also highlighted what he called the unique characteristics of Morocco’s transportation system, noting 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.”
Calls to address the issue continue to grow, with some advocating for stricter measures against illegal ridesharing services and others urging the government to establish clear regulations to integrate these platforms into the transportation ecosystem.
