Metro Express : Bodha meets transport workers

In a press conference on Thursday, Public Infrasructure and Transport Minister Nandcoomar Bodha has reassured transport sector employees about safeguarding their jobs. He announced that it was important to come with a solution for decongestion of our roads. “We are reorienting around 200 buses to affected areas. We will be using feeder buses in regions like Port-Louis, Curepipe and Vacoas. We are taking 25 NTC from the south and bring them in the north. UBS will be the feeder for Port-Louis and Rose Hill Transport feeder will be for Ebène.”

He said he has listened to the trade unionists and in fifteen days, he will be meeting with the directors of transport companies. “We will be reaching an agreement. Even if the feeder buses will be using electronic cards, no bus employee will be made redundant. Metro Express will also have possibilities for employment. It is possible for a bus driver to become a Metro driver after training.” He also revealed that there will be big projects at La Vigie, La Marie, Beau Songes and Flic en Flac where there will be bus lanes.  

Trade Union waiting for written guarantee

After the meeting with Nando Bodha, Ashok Subron confided that they want a written guarantee that no employees will lose their job and they are maintaining their assembly for 28th September. The spokesperson of the bus employees stated that workers are not satisfied with the meeting with Mr Bodha. “We were not present to listen how much the Metro Express will cost. We were there to talk about the job security of all the employees.”  The trade unionists have given the Minister two weeks to give his final decision.

Metro Express: Kick off on 11th September

The Metro Express will kick off on 11th September. It is at Richelieu that the company Larsen & Toubro will have to start its construction site. Meanwhile, the Indian firm must submit its work schedule to Metro Express Company Ltd. After Richelieu, the works will have to start simultaneously in Port-Louis and Curepipe. However, the Indian company will have to focus on the Port Louis/Rose Hill route which must be delivered in September 2019.

As regards the recruitment of Mauritian staff, calls for applications will be launched shortly. After that, Larsen and Toubro will have to place an order for 18 brand new trains from the Spanish company CAF.