By LeSiteinfo with MAP Crowded clothing stores, bustling traditional ovens and crowded souks and markets. On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, religious rituals and gastronomic fads resurface, as does the panorama of bus and train stations crowded with expensive tickets that have become an annual tradition. And this year will be no exception. Buses and trains are now experiencing a large influx of passengers. Whether it is to visit relatives, to attend celebrations or simply to travel during this holiday, massive crowds flock to the stations. However, traveling on religious holidays is not always a fun idea. In addition to the usual hustle and bustle of bus and train stations, passengers may face longer delays and waiting times, lack of luggage space, health problems due to congestion or changing security conditions. “I had to book my trip more than a week ago to be able to guarantee a place the day before Eid,” says Salma, a student in Rabat who wants to share the festive and friendly atmosphere of the celebrations with her family. in Meknes. Indeed, the Eid holiday travel rush kicked off several days in advance and could span more days than usual this year, in part due to telecommuting or more flexible working hours during Ramadan, and travelers’ willingness to absorb higher ticket prices. Many people will start their trips earlier or return to their cities later than usual because they will be spending a few days working from home. Dounia, an employee at Technopolis in Rabat who has just traveled to Beni Mellal to celebrate Eid in her hometown, confirms this observation, noting that the hybrid work mode adapted during Ramadan by her company has allowed her to travel to advance. “I made the Rabat-Khénifra trip a few days ago via the new bus station, there was no increase in ticket prices, but the coaches were still full. Fortunately, I booked my trip a few hours before departure on an online platform,” she revealed. This change in work habits could slightly spread out the crowds and help reduce the usual stress of traveling during the holidays. However, the influx of travelers remains massive and requires special programming by transport companies which encounter various challenges during this period generally marked by an increase in demand for tickets and available seats. From the increase in the number of trains in circulation, to the addition of additional cars and the increase in staff to better guide travellers, road companies and the National Railways Office (ONCF) often take exceptional measures to meet this increased demand. In this respect, the ONCF sets up, each year, a special device for Eid Al-Fitr, in anticipation of the influx of travelers that this period usually experiences, with in particular the programming of additional trains, and the reinforcement of the rate of trains to better meet peak demand. SL Join LeSiteinfo.com and receive our newsletters