First BHNS Line
The Greater Agadir perimeter is the heart of the Souss Massa Region, as it includes the most populous local communities in the region according to the latest 2024 census: Agadir, the capital with a population of around 504,768 people; Aït Melloul with 210,870 people; Inezgane with 137,512 people; Dcheira with 113,041 people; and Drarga with 107,621 people.
The Greater Agadir perimeter is also known for its tourist areas (Agadir’s coastal area, attracting many national and international tourists, as well as the Taghazout and Aourir areas to the north, which host luxury hotels and pristine beaches nearby) and its significant agricultural and industrial zones (in the municipalities of Lqliâa and Temsia), along with the Agadir port. This territory has undergone major transformations and developments in recent years, under the Urban Development Program 2020-2024 (PDU), driven by royal initiatives.
Urban Development Program of Greater Agadir 2020-2024
This ambitious program, requiring the mobilization of 5.9 billion dirhams, aims to transform the area by 2024. Its goal is to improve the living conditions of the population through enhanced infrastructure and increased attractiveness of the city. It also seeks to support the region’s economic development by establishing new industrial and logistics zones. The program is divided into six main areas of intervention:
- Environmental Preservation: Including the creation of Tikiouine Park and Al Inbiaat Park, and the upgrading of Ibn Zaydoun Park and Olhao Garden.
- Urban Planning of the Tourist Area: Rehabilitation of the corniche, construction of public facilities, improvement of lighting, and rehabilitation of the Valley of Birds Park.
- Heritage Promotion and Cultural Development: Restoration of the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella, development of cultural and religious complexes, and rehabilitation of public squares.
- Transport Infrastructure: Construction of a bypass, bridges, and the redevelopment of the expressway.
- Implementation of the First BHNS Line: Connecting the Agadir port to the Tikiouine district, this 15.5 km line will serve the administrative district, Souk El Had, Ibn Zohr University, the Tassila industrial zone, and the Tikiouine neighborhoods.
Mobility Improvement: Two of the six axes of the Greater Agadir Development Plan (~60% of the planned budget) are dedicated to mobility and transport infrastructure, including the North-South bypass, the BHNS, the expressway, underpasses, level crossings, and the expansion of the road network. This highlights the strong focus on this vital sector, which is essential for the region’s economic and social development.
This momentum has been strongly supported by the Ministry of the Interior through the General Directorate of Local Authorities (DGCT), which has significantly contributed to the funding of major road infrastructure projects, and the FRAT (Fund for Supporting Urban and Interurban Transport Reforms), which is a central funding mechanism aimed at promoting the development of public transport infrastructure on dedicated routes (TCSP: Tramway, BHNS, etc.), as well as encouraging cities to develop their technical and governance tools.
The attention given to mobility in Greater Agadir is not recent and reflects over a decade of strategic and tactical studies aimed at planning mobility and improving the movement of citizens. The following diagram outlines the main milestones achieved so far:
In line with this ambitious shift, characterized by a proactive policy to improve mobility, there is a clear commitment to launching new mobility and transport studies, updating existing ones, and strengthening the public transport network. Currently, the first BHNS line is set to be operational in 2025. This line will connect the Agadir port to the Tikiouine district and surrounding industrial zones, and serve the city’s administrative district, Hassan II Avenue, Souk El Had, Hassan I Avenue, and Ibn Zohr University.
The characteristics of the offer provided by this mode are listed in the following table:
| BHNS Line 1 - Greater Agadir. | Caractéristiques |
|---|---|
| Longueur commerciale | 15,5 Km |
| Quartiers desservis | L'itinéraire relie le port d'Agadir au quartier de Tikiouine et aux zones industrielles avoisinantes, et dessert le quartier administratif de la ville, l'avenue Hassan II, Souk El Had, l'avenue Hassan 1er, le complexe universitaire Ibn Zohr,la Zone industrielle de Tassila et dessert les quartiers de Tikiouine. |
| Nombre de stations y compris terminus | 35 stations |
| Distance moyenne inter-station | 456 m |
| Capacité/heure/sens | 1950 voy/heure/sens |
| Vitesse commerciale | 20 km/h |
| Temps de parcours | 45 minutes |
| Fréquence | 5min |
Tableau – Caractéristiques de la ligne BHNS L1 au Grand Agadir
