Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I informed by the NLTA that bus route 26, Belmont Traffic Centre to Central Flacq via Roche Noire, and route 53, Belmont Traffic Centre to Central Flacq via Amaury and Laventure are served by buses owned by individual bus owners. Previously, 19 buses were licensed to operate along these two routes. However, in 2006 one bus was transferred to route 106 which is Flacq-Port Louis while a second bus which had remained off the road since May 2020 had its road service licence lapsed. Thus, the fleet along these routes were reduced to 17 buses. I am apprised that with a view to addressing this shortfall, two short-term RSL licences were granted in October 2023 and August 2024, respectively. As at present, buses are released every 20 minutes from both terminals to serve both routes, alternatively, throughout the day. The fleet also caters for seven school trips and two short services on school days. Furthermore, buses on these routes also transit via Poudre D’Or Hospital at designated time of the day. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the NLTA that the routes 26 and 53 have indeed been subject to recurrent complaints particularly when scheduled trips are missed due to one or more buses being off-road due to breakdowns and unavailability of spare buses for replacement or simply, due to operators opting not to provide the service which is a recurrent happening. It is to be pointed out that a high number of these buses are more one 17 years old and are thus often prone to mechanical problems. As a result, strict compliance with timetable of operation cannot be observed. Thus, drawing strong complaints from commuters and management educational institutions. I have seen, with much concern, the video posted on social media by the hon. Member on Sunday, 29 June 2025 as regard line 26 whereby the last bus did not turn up at the Flacq Bus Station and 16 passengers were, consequently, left stranded. The Disciplinary Committee of the NLTA has been constituted under the chair of Attorney, Ms Aratee Prayag. I will ask the Authority to investigate on this incident as a priority and to ensure that severe action is taken against all those liable. To this effect, regular monitoring is ongoing by the regulator, the NLTA, although it is constrained by significant shortage of inspectorate staffs. Furthermore, I wish to reassure the House that the licensing of two additional buses along the

56 said routes is also being contemplated in order to enhance the level of service and to cater for emergencies resulting from breakdown of buses. Coming to route 221 which is part of the question, Haute Rive Traffic Centre, Rivière du Rempart to Central Flacq via Roche Noire, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the NLTA has apprised that this route was created to serve the inhabitants of Plaines des Roches who converged to Flacq for their social, recreational and economic activities as well as for students attending educational institutions in Flacq. This route is served daily by individual buses, on a roaster basis, of a fleet of 71 buses operating along routes 106, 109, 111, 176 and 112 – Flacq to Port Louis. These buses are released at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes during peak time and 60 to 70 minutes during off-peak. The service along this route has also been subject to repeated complaints from the travelling public due to dishonest operators failing to run their buses during off peak time. Checks are being carried out during the morning and peak time by the inspectorate to ensure the observance of timetable. Moreover, I am made aware that the NLTA will soon have a meeting with the bus operators for reviewing the existing established timetable in order to better meet the need of passengers. Finally, I wish to reiterate with much belief and confidence that malpractices will soon come to an end with the forthcoming introduction of Fleet Management System. At long last, we have a budgetary provision for this in the last budget. Meanwhile, I have asked the NLTA to have one of the 11 Management Support Officers to be posted at the Flacq Station to ensure close monitoring. In fact, these 11 MSOs have been entrusted a special assignment to strengthen the NLTA inspectorate pending the recruitment of Road Transport Inspectors as I had extensively explained during my speech on the Budget this year. Finally, I would invite the hon. Member, and his other colleagues of the constituency to work in close collaboration with the NLTA for the benefit of the commuters and to feel free to liaise with the MSO if need be.

Yes, hon. Member!

I thank the hon. Minister. I will seek your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, because the problem of line 26 and 53 affects strongly students. One child in

57 one month was subject to 14 lateness and very often people who live in areas like Poste La Fayette and Débarcadère, Poste de Flacq miss the first bus to their workplace and last bus to their homes.

Put your question!

The question to the hon. Minister is that the bus owners also face acute shortage to recruit bus drivers. Can the hon. Minister, please, consider the request of allowing the bus industry to recruit foreign bus drivers, instead of going through the painful and lengthy work permit process, be prioritized and be eligible to the occupation permit delivered within weeks by the EDB which will solve the labour problem?

We are doing our level best to facilitate. In fact, I just spoke to my colleague.

I think it is a question concerning your colleague more than you.

But just for the sake of clarity, if the salary is more than Rs23,000, this route can be contemplated.

Hon. Second Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes! ELECTRIC BUS PROJECT – CONSULTATION SERVICES – CONTRACT