Rail transport in Mauritius

From 1964 to 2020, there were no operational long-distance railways in Mauritius. A system existed from the 1860s to the 1960s. In 1956 the Mauritius Government Railways had 146 km (91 mi) of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge) track and 47 locomotives.[1]

Main article: History of rail transport in Mauritius

With increasing road traffic congestion, plans surfaced in 2009 for a metro system.[2] The first stage opened in 2020.

Map

Light rail system

Initial plans suggested a 24.9 km line which would relieve pressure on busy roads; it would be supported by a feeder network of buses.[4][5]

The first line would go from the capital at Port Louis to Curepipe, mostly following the trackbed of a former Government railway closed in the 1960s.[6]

On 2 August 2017 it was announced that Larsen & Toubro would be the contractor responsible for constructing the metro network.[7][8]

The first stage, Port Louis to Rose Hill Central, was opened on 10 January 2020. The second stage, to Curepipe, is scheduled to be completed in 2021.

See also

References

Notes
  1. Sampson H. (General editor), The Dumpy Book of Railways of the World, Sampson Low, London, 1956, p.168
  2. "LIGHT RAIL FOR MAURITIUS". Railways Africa. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
  3. https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/Mauritius.pdf
  4. "Singapore to support Mauritian Light Rapid Transit plan - Railway Gazette". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  5. Metro Project
  6. http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1803414.htm#1803414
  7. http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/l-t-bags-rs-3375-crore-mauritius-metro-order-117080200570_1.html
  8. http://www.larsentoubro.com/media/35505/2017-08-02-lt-to-build-light-rail-system-metro-express-in-mauritius.pdf

Further reading
  • Robinson, Neil (2009). World Rail Atlas and Historical Summary. Volume 7: North, East and Central Africa. Barnsley, UK: World Rail Atlas Ltd. ISBN 978-954-92184-3-5.

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