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Network
The network has a north–south track from Tangier via Rabat and Casablanca to Marrakesh. This line connects all major cities along or close to the Atlantic coast. In September 2012, ONCF started upgrading the Casablanca-Kenitra main line to improve capacity.
The other main link is the Northern East to West link from Oujda via Fez and Meknes to Rabat connecting to the N-S tracks in Kenitra.
For the (main) destinations where there is no train service (yet) the ONCF operates their own bus company Supratours offering connecting bus services from the nearest railway station to places like Agadir, Tétouan or Essaouira
Extensions
A major investment program upgrades and extends the network. In 2009, a branch-line of the E-W link was completed, running from Taourirt for 100 km to Nador. This track runs down from the Rif mountains to sealevel at Nador. Most of the route from Taourirt follows the same route as the National Road 19. The tracks through Nador are underground and after Nador Ville the track continues to the Nador Port in Bin Anşār above ground again. This new branch-line is used for both passenger and freight trains with several passenger trains serving Fez, Rabat to Casablanca or to Tangier. There are 6 trains per day: some demanding change at Taourirt wye - others provide direct services up to Casablanca. The night-train (dep. 19:47 from Nador) doesn't even stop at Taourirt and thus doesn't have to change travel-direction.
Another project completed in 2010 is a short-cut between Rabat and Tangier. When completed trains can run directly to Rabat and Casablanca without having to use the longer route via Sidi Kasim. Also in the north a new track is built between Tangier and Ras R'Mel.
Other routes under construction are:
Casablanca to El Jadida
Bypass via Meknes, on the Rabat–Fez route
Not yet under construction, but planned are:
Marrakesh – Agadir, and then an extension further south to Laâyoune
Oued Zem – Beni Mellal
The most important project is the development of a "high-speed link" (TGV) from Tangier via Rabat and Casablanca to Marrakesh. The main contractor of this project is French company Alstom. The French president Nicolas Sarkozy was guest on 29 September 2011 when the actual construction of the line started. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2012
Freight
Oujda railway station is the last station for passengers on the east–west link. The lines south of Oujda are for freight only and until the passenger-service starts the link Tangier-Tanger MED is also only operated for freight: mainly for the Renault factory at the port
Railway links to adjacent countries
There was a link to Algeria, but the border is now closed.
Melilla, Spain – train terminates at Nador Port, within walking distance of Melilla.
Services
The company makes a difference between the long-distance "Grandes Lignes", high-speed shuttle trains between Rabat and Casablanca, Urban transport in the Casablanca region and the "train by road" via daughter-company Supratours
On the mainline (Grand Lignes) several trains are operated per day. In the first class all chairs are assigned seats. On three main routes the ONCF operate special night trains with either full beds in private rooms of couchettes. On the Oujda-Casablanca route they run a "hotel train" which only offers beds and couchettes, no seats. These "Voyage de Nuit" is available on:
Casablanca-Oujda via Rabat, Sale, Fez and Taourirt: Train – Hôtel: Dep. Casablanca: 21:15 Arriving Oujda at 07:00
Oujda-Casablanca, Departure: 21:00, Taourirt 22:43, Fez: 03:00 Rabat: 06:15, Casablanca: 07:15
Marrakesh–Tangier via Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra: Departure: 21:00, Casa: 0:45, Rabat: 1:57, Tangier: 07:25
Tangier–Marrakesh: Tangier: 21:05, Kenitra: 2:35, Rabat: 3:15, Casablanca: 4:30, Marrakesh: 08:05
Casablanca - Nador: Departure: 19:45, Fez: 0:15, Nador arrival: 06:00
Nador-Casablanca: Nador Ville: 19:43, Fez: 01:00, Casablanca: 06:15 (Marrakesh: 10:05 with train of 06:50 from Casa)
And on the route Tangier-Nador vv there is no official "night train" with beds or couchettes, but there is a night service from Tangier to Oujda or Nador
Nador-Tangier: Departure: 17:43, Fez: 01:00 and arrival in Tangier: 07:00
Tangier-Nador: Departure: 21:35, Fez: 2:30, Taourirt: 7:45, Nador: 09:32
Operations
ONCF operates in three main sectors:
Passenger transportation; 29.6 million passenger-journeys (2009)
Goods transportation; 35 million tonnes (2009)
including phosphates transportation.
