Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Bus Modernisation Scheme was introduced in 2014 to provide a financial support to bus operators for renewal of bus fleet through the replacement of aging buses with safer, more efficient and environmentally compliant vehicles, with the objective of improving passenger comfort, service reliability, road safety and sustainable public transport, both in Mauritius and Rodrigues. For Mauritius, the Bus Modernisation Scheme (BMS) is administered by the NLTA and the bus operators are provided subsidies as follows – (i) high-floor diesel bus; 20% of the total price of the bus subject to a maximum of Rs700,000. (ii) semi-low floor bus; Rs1 million; (iii) electric bus; 30% of the price of the bus subject to a maximum of Rs3.5 million. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that there are currently 73 buses in Rodrigues and that for the period 2017-202, the NLTA was making the disbursement to applicants from Rodrigues for subsidy under the BMS. Thereafter, payment has been effected by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA). I am further informed that since 2014, these bus operators are entitled to a government subsidy of Rs1 million for high-floor buses, that is, Rs300,000 more is paid to operators in Mauritius. This difference is explained by the fact that operators in Rodrigues incur additional costs in shipping, the bus acquired from Mauritius to Rodrigues, a cost which is not borne by local operators. Moreover, justification for higher subsidy arose from the fact that the wear and tear of buses running in Rodrigues was more due to topography of the island. More often than not, spare parts required for repairs had to be acquired from Mauritius, which again, entailed increased expenses. The NLTA is called upon only to check compliance of the bus with the specifications of the Road Traffic Construction and Use Regulations 2010 and to recommend the applications for payment. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the question from the hon. Member on the cost of the bus body being higher than the chassis, I am informed by the NLTA that this is not quite the case, although true it is that the bus body costs as much as 85-90% of the cost of the chassis and the fitted engine. This cost is equally borne by operators in Mauritius as well as those from Rodrigues. I wish to clarify that the BMS Subsidy Framework is not structured around individual cost components of any bus such as the body, the chassis or the engine but rather takes into account the overall acquisition cost of a compliant bus. The subsidy amount has been worked out as a fixed sum on the total capital investment of any bus operator without factoring in the different cost of buses based on make, model, seating capacity etc. The only defining criteria is whether the bus is a high floor, semi-low floor or electric bus. Having regards to the specificity of Rodrigues, I am given to understand that only high floor buses are concerned. I am made to understand, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that disbursement and therefore the BMS for the last three years for Rodrigues are as follows as per the financial years – • 2022-2023; Rs2 million for two buses; • 2023-2024; Rs3 million for three buses; • 2024-2025; Rs7 million for seven buses; • 2025-2026; Rs3 million, only three applications processed so far as at May 2026. As announced in the budget exercise 2025-2026, the NLTA is carrying out a comprehensive exercise for the revamping of the BMS. During that exercise, the quantum of the subsidy will be worked out anew to align subsidy amount with actual investment cost, taking into account government policy objectives, including environmental considerations. The Road Transport Advisory Board has also been requested to submit their advice on the proposed views. To end, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, once this exercise is completed, the new quantum will be shared with the RRA, enabling them to adjust subsidy payment to bus operators at their end. I am informed by the Ministry of Finance that as at date, no request for review, under the BMS, has been received at the level of the Commission for Public Infrastructure and others in Rodrigues. I am also given to understand that there is a provision of Rs5 million for financial year 2026-2027 under the BMS. Thank you.

The hon. First Member for Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East! AGRICULTURAL LANDS ALLOCATION (NOV 2024-MAY 2026) & CULTIVATION INCENTIVES