The station is being rebuilt with new retail, commercial and residential developments as part of an urban renewal project which coincides with the construction of the Tangiers - Kenitra high-speed line. The 23,500m2 station will be constructed on three levels, with platforms, ONCF offices, and a VIP lounge on the ground floor, ticket offices, passenger lounges and shops on the first floor and a food court on the second floor. The rebuilding of the station will increase capacity from around seven million to 30 million passengers per year.

Officials from Moroccan National Railways (ONCF) also briefed the king on plans for a Dirhams 450m project to rebuild Rabat Ville station as a multimodal hub. The project involves constructing a new 16,000m2 three-storey passenger complex across the station's platforms and converting the existing station building into an art gallery and commercial space.

ONCF says the project will seek to create a new iconic building in the heart of the capital while preserving the existing structure as a historic monument.

The new Rabat Ville station will have capacity to accommodate up to 20 million passengers per year, compared with eight million passengers at present.

Photo: Artist's impression of the rebuilt Rabat Ville station. 

Rabat ONCF