Morocco Slams Brakes on Ride-Hailing Apps, Sparking Transport Showdown
End of the quarrel between taxi and VTC drivers in Morocco. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has just prohibited the issuance of transport licenses via smart applications, considering that this service is not provided for by the legal provisions governing public passenger transport. But for how much longer?
"Following the information relayed by news sites on the refusal by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics to grant transport licenses via smart applications, this department wishes to emphasize that the legal and regulatory provisions in force governing road passenger transport in our country do not include provisions clearly regulating this type of service," the ministry said in a statement.
In its response to the Democratic Confederation of Transport, the ministry recalled that transport licenses are granted only to natural or legal persons carrying out legal activities, stressing that any transport activity carried out without a license or via private vehicles constitutes a violation of the texts in force. Offenders are liable to financial fines or imprisonment. The department of Abdessamad Kayouh adds that "transport via applications mainly concerns the urban sector, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior."
Last July, the Minister of the Interior recalled that the transport of persons "without the legal authorizations constitutes an illegal activity, exposing the offenders to the sanctions provided for by the regulations in force." "Anyone who attempts to provide transport services through private vehicles without the necessary authorizations is liable to severe sanctions," warned Abdelouafi Laftit. These sanctions are provided for by the royal decree no. 1.63.260 relating to road transport by motor vehicles and law no. 52.05 relating to the Highway Code.
The reaction of the Ministries of Transport and the Interior puts an end to the tug-of-war between traditional taxi drivers and VTC drivers. The tensions between the two are explained by several factors. Taxis apply regulated prices, set according to the distance, time and city, while VTCs set their rates freely.
