Mauritius Metro Express Funding Supports Debt Recovery, Fleet Refurbishment and Future Network Planning
Why it Matters
Mauritius’ Metro Express is now moving into the stage where long-term operating performance matters as much as the original infrastructure investment. The Government’s Rs 1.64 billion allocation is directed at debt recovery, current expenditure and the start of light rail vehicle refurbishment, placing financial stability, fleet condition and service reliability at the centre of the system’s next phase.
The Crossrail International-supported review is also important because it gives Metro Express Ltd a broader value argument beyond fare revenue and operating cost. By identifying annual monetised benefits linked to reduced congestion, avoided road accidents, passenger travel benefits and avoided carbon emissions, the review strengthens the case for assessing light rail as a public transport asset with wider economic and social returns. The planned pilot direct service and possible future airport extension also point to continued network optimisation rather than a static post-construction operation.
Mauritius’ Metro Express Ltd is entering a pivotal financial year, with the Government allocating approximately Rs 1.64 billion to support debt recovery, begin the refurbishment of light rail vehicles and meet the company’s current expenditure.
Minister of Land Transport, Mr Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed, outlined the allocation during a press conference in Port Louis, held in the presence of Metro Express Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mr Rishikesh Brojmohun and other senior officials.
The briefing followed an online meeting with Crossrail International Ltd on the wider benefits of the Metro Express light rail system. Crossrail International is a public body of the United Kingdom Government’s Department for Transport and is engaged through the UK Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme.
The organisation is providing technical assistance under the UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework within the Growth, Trade and Investment Agenda. It has supported the Office of the Public Sector Governance in undertaking an Operations and Maintenance Review of Metro Express Ltd.
According to Minister Mahomed, between 35,000 and 36,000 passengers use the Metro Express light rail service daily. He highlighted findings from the Crossrail International review, which estimated that the system generates core monetised benefits of approximately Rs 1.7 billion annually, based on assumptions and data provided by Metro Express Ltd and using a UK methodology.
The Minister said these monetised benefits had not been considered when assessing the construction and operational costs of the Metro Express system. Benefits identified in the review include avoided road accidents, user benefits from business, commuting and leisure travel, the energy value attributed to avoided carbon emissions, and reduced traffic congestion.
The review also identified wider economic benefits, including contracts awarded to local businesses and small and medium enterprises since 2021, employment supported through Metro Express Ltd subcontractors, and the wider societal value of jobs created.
Minister Mahomed also reported progress on expenditure control. As at June 2025, compared with June 2024, Metro Express Ltd had reduced total operational expenditure by 10.4 per cent through a series of cost-saving measures.
These measures included the closure of under-utilised administrative offices with exceptionally high rental costs, the suspension of light rail vehicle operations on public holidays along Line 2 between Rose Hill Central and Mahatma Gandhi, Réduit, and the reduction in the number of light rail vehicles operating on Line 2 during Saturday early mornings and late afternoons.
Additional measures have been introduced to address fare evasion, including the recruitment of more ticket controllers.
Metro Express Ltd is also pursuing revenue-focused strategies. These include improving light rail vehicle availability during peak hours, increasing revenue through the commercialisation of advertising space, and optimising operations through the forthcoming pilot introduction of a direct light rail service between Curepipe Central Light Rail Station and Mahatma Gandhi Light Rail Station in Réduit.
Looking ahead, Minister Mahomed referred to the long-term possibility, subject to Cabinet approval, of extending the Metro Express network to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and the southern region of Mauritius. He said an extension of the existing Port Louis to Curepipe line to the airport would be feasible through the use of the former railway tracks along the Port Louis to Mahebourg corridor.
