Morocco’s Casablanca Transport has received bids for the rolling stock package of lines 3 and 4 of the Casa Tramway.

Companies that have submitted an offer are:

• Alstom Transport (France)
• Bombardier CAS (Canada)
• CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive (China)
• Skoda Transportation (Czech Republic)

It is understood that the evaluation of the technical offers started last week.

The contract is expected to be awarded in December.

Casa Transports expects to launch the tenders for the civil works and systems before end of 2017

Preparatory works, which include underground networks, began in April and are expected to be completed in October 2018, when construction of the two lines is expected to commence.

The preliminary studies are still ongoing and are expected to be completed also by December.

The two lines will require an investment of MD8.4bn ($850m).

The Moroccan state as well as the regional and municipal governments of Casablanca will supply funding for 60 per cent of the project. Guaranteed loans will be utilised for the remaining 40 per cent of the budget.

The proposed Line 3 will link the Moulay Rachid industrial area, the Ben Msik College, Mabrouka, Ouled Zian and the Hassan II mosque all in Casablanca.

Line 4 will extend from Derb Soltane to the Casa Port.

Line 2 of the Casa Tramway is under construction and is expected to be completed in October 2018.