Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the NLTA that three buses owned by individual operators are licensed to provide bus services along route 16D (Rose Hill, Place Margéot – Central Flacq via Bel Air, Cité La Lucie, Belle Rose, Clémencia and Camp de Masque Pavé). However, only one bus is effectively providing service on this route. This bus operates a single trip daily, departing from Central Flacq Bus Station at approximately 5.45 hours in the morning towards Rose Hill via Bel Air and Clementia. The three buses hold a dual licence also authorising them to operate along Road 15, that is, Rose Hill to Flacq via Quartier Militaire, which is a more lucrative road. Therefore, they focus on their operation on that route instead of 16D. I am made to understand that the limited level of service along route 16D is mainly attributable to a very low passenger demand along the route including in localities as such Petite Cabane, Clémencia and Belle Rose, during the day. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, following representations from the hon. Member and a letter dated 24 March 2026 from a representative of the Moka-Flacq Bus Owners Cooperative Society Ltd, operators serving along Route 16 and 16A, have expressed their willingness to operate along route 16D, which is part of your substantive question, on a daily roster basis. In this context a meeting is being scheduled at the level of the NLTA with operators of Bus Routes 15 and 16, tentatively, on 23 April 2026, that is, day after tomorrow, to examine the proposal with a view to improving the frequency of operation and reliability of services along Route 16D. The timeframe for implementation will be determined following consultations with all stakeholders concerned. The NLTA will, however, take prompt remedial measures to ensure an adequate service along Route 16D. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also to be noted that alternative public transport is available along Route 113A, that is, Port Louis, Victoria Square – Bel Air, which serves Camp de Masque Pavé, Belle Rose, Clémencia and Petite Cabane. Some shortcomings have also been reported on services along this route as well as these are being looked into and they are being looked into by the NLTA. Again the paucity of number of passengers in these localities being the main reason for the reluctance of bus operators to provide the required services. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the NLTA under the direction of my Ministry has intensified enforcement and crackdown operations across key regions to address irregularities in bus operations. Sustained monitoring with unannounced inspection are being effected on a regular basis with a particular focus on non-compliance such as route breaking and failure to operate scheduled services. Where breeches are committed, the NLTA is establishing contraventions and in case of recurrence, disciplinary actions against the license holders will be initiated. These on-going crackdown operations would be further intensified to ensure strict compliance, restore discipline among operators and safeguard the reliability of public transport services for commuters. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to also inform the House that the forthcoming Fleet Management System for which tenders are currently being evaluated will be a game changer in bringing efficiency in our bus public service. In addition, my Ministry is working on the Bus Services Bill which will regulate the services standards and operations of buses. To end, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also wish to reassure the hon. Member that in this context, due attention will be given to the services along Road 16 D. With the arrangements being made by the NLTA, the service will hopefully meet community needs. Thank you.

Yes, hon. Member.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to bring to the attention of the hon. Minister of Land Transport that Route 16D namely, Rose-Hill via Belle-Rose, Clemencia and Camp de Masque Pavé, already exists on NLTA website, and is operated by buses of Route 16 D. Can the hon. Minister look into it, please?

I won’t be surprised that it is so. Like I said earlier, there is low passenger demand for that particular route because there are almost no travellers but in the meeting that is going to happen day after tomorrow, I will ask the chairperson to particularly look at this issue.

Hon. Second Member for Vieux Grand Port & Rose Belle. NOUVELLE FRANCE – WATER PUMP FAILURES – MEASURES