Long awaited, phase 2 of the Metro Express is finally a reality. Indeed, the Rose-Hill / Quatre-Bornes route of the Metro Express will come into operation this Sunday, June 20, 2021 from 11 a.m. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth will be making the grand launch at Quatre-Bornes.
The Council of Ministers, meeting on Friday, June 18, took note of the metro prices. The trip between Quatre-Bornes and Port-Louis will cost Rs 40 for adults and Rs 20 for children and students. On the other hand, the price of the ticket between Quatre-Bornes and Rose-Hill will cost Rs 20 for adults, Rs 11 for children and Rs 14 for students. The metro will be free for the elderly, students and the otherwise able.
Metro Express project is gradually being implemented in order to modernize the public transport sector in Mauritius. The Metro Express, he stressed, is a comfortable, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly alternative mode of transport.
From its launch until May 2021, the Metro Express has carried some 3.7 million passengers. Phase 2A, he said, is ready to welcome passengers at Quatre Bornes central station and Belle Rose station, which are well-equipped and modern stations. Quatre Bornes central station is integrated with other modes of transport as parking lots for taxis, buses and bicycles are also available there.
In a press conference, Minister Mr. Ganoo said that with the inauguration of this new phase of the project, it is expected that 5,000 to 7,000 additional passengers use the Metro Express. According to him, a shuttle service will be set up in phases, with five different routes, to connect other regions such as Residence Kennedy, Ollier, Palma, Berthaud Ave, Bassin and Sodnac, to the Metro Express.
MEL has conducted a survey of some 300 participants last May, showing that nearly 100% of Metro Express users are satisfied with the service offered, while more than 95% of participants choose to travel on board. from the Metro Express. This is because Light Rail Vehicles are clean, spacious and offer quality travel experiences.
For his part, Dr Mootanah pointed out that tests from Quatre Bornes to Rose Hill have been carried out for two months to ensure the safety of passengers. He added that it will take five minutes to complete the journey along Phase 2A, which includes 3 intersections, at Boundary, Ollier Ave and Belle Rose, controlled by the Traffic Signal Priority System . Embellishment work has also been carried out along this route. The Metro Express, according to Dr Mootanah, is a long-term sustainable visionary project, also including the construction of several urban terminals.
