Metro Express (Mauritius)

Metro Express
Overview
System LRT
Status Under construction
Locale Mauritius
Termini Port Louis
Curepipe
Stations 19
Services 1
Website Mauritius Metro Express
Operation
Planned opening September 2019 (Phase 1)
September 2021 (Phase 2)
Operator(s) Metro Express Ltd
Depot(s) Richelieu
Technical
Line length 26 km (16 mi)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification Overhead lines
Operating speed 35-80 km/h

The Metro Express, is an LRT public transport system, currently under construction in Mauritius.

The planned route will run between the Port Louis District and Plaines Wilhems District.

History

Mauritius had been without a railway system following the closure of Mauritius Government Railways in the 1960s.

Due to increased car usage and chronic road congestion, plans for a light railway system have been proposed over many years.[1]

On July 31, 2017 in Ebene, the Government of Mauritius signed a contract for the creation of a light rail transit system.[2]

The project is led by the Indian company Larsen & Toubro, after winning a tender from the Government of Mauritius for Rs.18.8 billion, of which Rs.9.9 billion is being provided by a grant from Indian government.[3][4]

Construction

Phase 1 will link Port Louis to Rose Hill in September 2019. Phase 2 will extend to line from Rose Hill to Curepipe in September 2021.[5]

Part of the route will use the trackbed of the former Mauritius Government Railways. Some old railway tracks have been uncovered during construction in Rose Hill and may be used as exhibits for a Railway Museum.[6]

Rolling stock

On 26 July 2017, CAF announced that they had won a tender to provide 18 Urbos 100-3 worth over €100 million. The deal also includes providing the signalling system, automatic vehicle location system (AVLS), transit signal priority system (TSPS), depot equipment and a driving simulator.[7]

Opposition

The Metro Express has been criticised by many, especially as some people had to be expropriated because their land was on the route of the future line. Houses had to be destroyed. Trade unionists have also expressed their concern about the risk of job losses in the transport sector as the LRT system is implemented on one of the busiest route of the island.[8]

References

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