The Metro Express, one of the biggest projects ever to be implemented in Mauritius, is set to be a reality. The Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) has reviewed the cost and submitted a new concept in October last year. Thus, the initial cost of Rs 31 billion has been reduced to Rs 17.7 billion, following modification of the project. The operating figures of the project have been calculated on daily passenger volume of 80,000 in each direction.  The train fare will be aligned on that of current bus fare. The project will initially focus on the Curepipe-Port Louis corridor, with provision for future extension to the north and south of the island. India is contributing Rs 9.9 billion towards the realization of the project, leaving the government with a few options to finance the rest. It may raise a loan from a local consortium of banks, or turn abroad or solicit a line of credit from India. 

Defi Media

 

Mauritius Metro Express is a 26km light rail transit system being developed in Mauritius. The line will extend from Curepipe to Immigration Square in Port Louis and include 19 stations.Estimated to cost MUR18.8bn ($565m), the project was officially launched in March 2017 and is being undertaken by Metro Express Limited, a wholly-owned company of the Government of Mauritius.It will pass through five major cities, including Curepipe, Vacoas, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and the capital Port Louis. Operations are due to begin on the Rose Hill to Port Louis section in September 2019, while train services from the Curepipe station are expected to start in early-2021. The metro project will cut the journey time from Curepipe to Port Louis to 41 minutes. It is expected to create approximately 7,000 full-time jobs during the construction phase.The light rail project is being undertaken to decrease traffic congestion in Mauritius, which is costing the nation MUR4bn ($119.6m) a year. The project design includes the creation of a multimodal urban transit solution, connecting three major bus interchanges to give commuters to access bus services. A future north-south expansion of the metro express is in plan, which will create a direct connection to the airport.

Metro Express Project

Highlights:

 

• 26 km route

• Runs from Curepipe to Immigration in Port Louis

• 19 stations with 2 elevated swanky stations

• 4 bus interchanges

• Metro Operations:

• 307 passengers/LRV

• 35-80 Km/hr     

• Estimated time of 41 minutes