Maroc: ONCF will increase the number of daily trains
In full compliance with the measures imposed by the competent authorities and following the gradual changes in demand, the National Office of Railways (ONCF) strengthens from Monday 1st June 2020 the supply of trains Shuttle Express (TNR), maintained at reduced speed during confinement on the nearby axes of Casa Port - Settat, Casa Port - El Jadida and Casa Port - Rabat - Kenitra. The number of services will increase from 20 to 40 trains per day, combined with the reopening of the Rabat Agdal and Salé Tabriquet stations.
To this end, the Office is putting in place an appropriate system of protection and health security measures while introducing new travel rules to support the gradual resumption of traffic and guarantee the optimal conditions for protected travel. This system also provides for a battery of preventive and proactive security measures in order to contribute to protection against the Covid-19 and ensure strict compliance with sanitary measures. As such:
Passenger screening at the entrance to stations to separate flows; The control of the wearing of masks in stations and on board trains; The provision of hydro-alcoholic gels in stations and on trains; Reinforced and continuous cleaning and disinfection of trains and shared spaces in stations; Respect for social distancing in waiting areas in stations, on platforms and in travel spaces on board trains, by limiting sales capacity, neutralizing seats and marking on the ground of the safety distance to be respected; Front Office staff wearing masks and visors in contact with customers in stations and on trains.
In addition, and in order to regulate the use of TNRs and allow compliance with the rules of physical distance on board, the Office applies the exceptional measure to reduce their sales and occupancy capacity to 50% during this first phase.
In addition, it should be noted that reservations will now be compulsory on board TNRs, as is the case for ALBORAQ and ALATLAS trains. Thus, all TNR passengers (full-fare ticket, subscription, reduction, railway workers, members) must respect the use of the train and the car, the numbers of which will be indicated on the ticket. "Shuttle and Dima" subscribers must then make a reservation for the requested TNR with their subscription card, before boarding.
To support the implementation of all these protection and prevention measures, the ONCF is rolling out a targeted communication plan. It aims to reassure citizens about the use of trains and make them aware of compliance with safety instructions, under the sign 'Act together to protect us'.
This multi-channel plan will be implemented through in-situ communication in stations and on trains (display, audio announcements, assistance, etc.), a 'radio' campaign on various stations, a digital deployment (social networks, ONCF websites and application ONCF TRAFIC with adapted web content and educational videos), in addition to a direct contact plan with subscribed customers by sending sms and phone calls. The objective is to inform customers about the new measures taken by the ONCF, to make them aware of compliance with barrier gestures and social distancing rules, while guiding passenger flows and guaranteeing better fluidity in stations and at board trains.
The ONCF, is preparing the gradual resumption of services to AL BORAQ and AL ATLAS and will soon announce their date of circulation.
