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Rabat – The National Railway Office (ONCF) has introduced new regulations on the transport of electric scooters on trains and their use within stations, responding to complaints from passengers.
The measures establish rules, fines, and inspection procedures to ensure both safety and convenience for passengers.
Clear rules for passengers
According to the regulations, owners are permitted to transport e-scooters free of charge, provided they are folded, weigh no more than 30 kilograms, and do not exceed dimensions of 130 cm (90 cm x 60 cm).
ONCF agents are authorized to check compliance, including verifying folding mechanisms, dimensions, and the presence of visible batteries. Non-compliance may result in passengers being denied entry or asked to leave the scooter in a designated area.
On express shuttle trains (TNR), e-scooters must be stored in the baggage hold, with a maximum of two e-scooters allowed per train. If a scooter is found unfolded, the owner will be required to pay a MAD 100 ($10) fine.
The rules are stricter on Al Boraq and Atlas trains, where transporting electric scooters is entirely prohibited. Any violation carries a MAD 300 ($30) fine, with inspectors empowered to confiscate the devices. In cases of refusal to comply, ONCF reserves the right to call in security services.
Safety concerns and public reactions
Mustapha Elhaji, president of the Moroccan Association of Road Safety, welcomed the move, describing it as “preemptive” and necessary to protect passengers. He pointed out to SNRTnews that e-scooter batteries can be hazardous in enclosed areas, with risks of overheating or explosion.
Elhaji further argued that regulation should extend beyond trains, calling on the government to issue parallel laws on their use in public spaces and on roads.
“Parallel laws must be enacted regarding their use in public spaces and on roads, because they pose a danger to their owners, pedestrians, and vehicles,” he told SNRTnews, noting that scooters are increasingly used to deliver goods and services in urban centers.
Many citizens, particularly frequent train users, expressed support for the new measures.
Complaints have circulated on social media about scooters blocking aisles, taking up excessive space, or being placed haphazardly in carriages. However, some passengers argued that scooters should remain permitted if properly folded and stored in luggage compartments.
Upcoming national regulation
Director of the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA), Benacer Boulaajoul, confirmed that a decree regulating scooter use on Moroccan roads is imminent.
The legislation will define traffic rules, specify violations, and establish guidelines for where and how electric scooters may be ridden. Boulaajoul noted that such vehicles were not considered under Moroccan law before 2010, prompting the amendment of Decree No. 421 to cover electric bicycles and scooters.
As Morocco adapts to new modes of urban mobility, ONCF’s measures represent the first nationwide regulatory framework targeting scooters. Officials and safety advocates expect further laws to follow, aimed at balancing innovation in transport with passenger safety and public order.
