Madam Speaker, I am informed by the National Land Transport Authority that there are six buses owned by individual bus operators which are licensed to operate along Route 87, that is, St Hubert-Curepipe via St Hubert, Beau Jardin and Deux Bras. However, only four of them are providing their services. One bus has attained the age of 20 years since April 2023 and has not been replaced, while the licence of the second bus has been revoked since 09 March 2023 following several recurrent charges, including ‘failing to observe timetable and performing special road trips without permit’, and the case is at the level of the Appeal Committee. In order to ensure an adequate level of service thereat, three buses of the National Transport Corporation are supplementing the service along the said route. Buses are being released at intervals of 20 minutes during peak time and 40 minutes during off-peak. Additionally, one school service is performed by the NTC in the morning at 06:55 hrs from St Hubert and 14:10 hrs in the afternoon from Curepipe. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that since the introduction of NTC buses along Route 87, the number of complaints pertaining to the said route has decreased. With regard to bus service along Route 11, that is, St Hubert-Mahebourg via St Hubert, Beau

82 Jardin and Grand Bel Air, I am informed that six individually owned buses are licensed to operate thereat, and all of them are providing service. It is to be noted that one of them is operating on a temporary basis following approval conveyed on 30 April 2024 in accordance with section 77(d) of the Road Traffic Act to improve the level of service thereat. Buses along Route 11 are currently being released at an interval of 20 minutes during peak time and 30 minutes during off-peak. A short service is also provided every morning from Grand Bel Air to Mahebourg at 7.20 in the morning and on school days to cater to the needs of students attending secondary institutions in Mahebourg. As far as specific complaints along Route 87 and 11 are concerned, I am apprised by the NLTA that disciplinary actions have already been taken against some bus operators while investigations and enquiries are ongoing for other cases. Furthermore, the NLTA has informed that the demand along the concerned localities is concentrated only during peak hours and the number of travelling passengers during the rest of the day is marginal. The NLTA has been requested to closely monitor the operation of buses thereat and to come up with additional remedial measures to improve the situation of commuters. With your permission, Madam Speaker, and in order to save the time of the House, I am tabling the details of the timetable in respect of Routes 87 and 11, please. Thank you.

Thank you Minister. Yes, hon. Mr Ramdass !

Madame la présidente, ces deux routes 11 et 87 respectivement – de ce que je comprends – sont desservies en partie par la NTC et en partie par les opérateurs d’autobus privés. Et de ce que je comprends, à ce jour, le plus gros souci, qui dure depuis des années déjà, demeure relatif aux opérateurs privés qui, de loin, ne fournissent pas un service régulier comme convenu. Would the hon. Minister – of course, I have taken note of the reply given by the hon. Minister – consider the possibility or the advisability of taking up the matter with the NLTA so that regular inspection is carried out in order so that the inhabitants of St Hilaire, St Hubert and Beau Jardin are provided with a decent regular service?

I am sure he will!

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I certainly will, and I also rely on the hon. Member that after the NLTA has carried out the inspection, should he still not be satisfied, to get back to me. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Third Member for Rodrigues! RISING COSTS OF COMMODITIES – FINANCIAL RELIEF