Africa-Press – Mauritius. Four 15-seater National Transport Corporation (NTC) micro buses (vans) were launched, this afternoon, at Complex Commercial, La Concorde, in Camp Levieux, Rose Hill. The four micro buses will operate on route 122 (Curepipe to Camp Levieux) and route 37 (Curepipe to Mont Roches via Camp Levieux).
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), Mrs Tania Diolle; and Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Ivan Collendavelloo, were present.
In his address, Minister Ganoo underlined that the introduction of micro buses on its route network forms part of the service improvement strategy of the NTC.
The objectives of this strategy, he said, are twofold: to mitigate cost of operation during off peak hours due to low ridership, and to add additional seats on high demand routes during peak hours.
He stated that the NTC plays a crucial role in the transport sector of the country since it is the largest transport provider. Out of the 450,000 passengers who travel by bus daily, 150,000 commute by the 540 NTC buses on 100 routes across the country, he indicated.
Moreover, it employs the maximum number of workers in this sector, he added. Acknowledging that there are several issues faced by passengers daily, Minister Ganoo underlined that Government is implementing several measures in a bid to modernise the sector.
They inlude: provision of some Rs 75 million to NTC for the acquisition of 25 new buses; and purchase of 200 electric buses by the end of the year. He recalled that Government subsidises the bus companies and the metro to the tune of Rs 1,3 billion per year for the transport of students and the elderly.
Speaking about the Russian-Ukraine conflict, he stated that it is a difficult period and added that the Mauritian Government has been able to evacuate many of its citizens.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo, for her part, noted with satisfaction that, besides the improvement of the transport system in the region, other projects have been implemented with a view of enhancing the quality of lives of the inhabitants in Camp Levieux.
They include: the introduction of the Mobile Post and construction of a funeral parlour, the repainting of the NHDC houses, and the construction of a Mediclinic and a Multipurpose Complex.
She also pointed out that Government is working on a Learning Corner project for vulnerable children who have lagged behind in their studies especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As for PPS Diolle and MP Collendavelloo, they both stated that the new micro buses will help ease transport problems in the region. They recalled that Government’s policy is to give commuters the possibility to travel in comfort, security, and at an affordable price.
Mr Collendavelloo pointed out that the Metro Express Project is synonymous with development and innovation adding that the private sector such as Rose Hill Transport Ltd also contributes to enhancing the quality of service in the transport sector.
It is to be recalled that the launching of the first batch of four 15-seater micro buses was held at Rose Belle Traffic Center on 21 July 2021. The NTC had procured these buses in May 2021 to operate during off peak hours on routes: 87 (St. Hubert to Curepipe), 137 (Carreau Accacia to Rose Belle), 79 (Rose Belle to Bois Chéri), and 34 (Bois Chéri to Curepipe).
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