Driving in Mauritius

Driving in Mauritius (and travelling)

This article covers numerous subjects related to driving and travelling in Mauritius.

You will find, amongst other interesting facts, 3 videos in this article:

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Driving through Mauritius | Speed limits in Mauritius | Defensive driving in Mauritius | Driving on the left side at roundabouts and road signs in Mauritius | Unofficial traffic signs in Mauritius | Parking coupons | Alternative parking in Port Louis as opposed to using coupons | Car Rentals | Petrol stations opening hours | Travelling by bus | Light Rail Travel - Metro Leger

Related links to driving in Mauritius:

Driving through Mauritius

So let's start. In Mauritius, you drive on the left-hand side and give way to the right.

Driving in Mauritius, and that on the left-hand side can be challenging for first-timers notwithstanding the driving culture in Mauritius.

Whilst driving through Mauritius, you may encounter road works where the traffic is manually controlled by 2 persons at either end, turning stop and go signs instead of traffic lights, police controlling roundabouts, scooters loaded with families of three, pedestrians running across the dual carriageway (motorway), or at night in certain areas of Mauritius, and more so the villages, people playing cards on a table set up in the road's kerb (curb), just to mention a few strange encounters.

The Mauritians' easy-going way of life, friendliness and tolerance can also be experienced when driving. You may be asking for directions and they'll just lead and show you how to get there, even if it means going out of their way to make sure you don't get lost. The paradox is the lack of road courtesy.

Tip: Before setting out for any destination, check Google Maps for the shortest route and traffic congestion updates. Whilst driving through Mauritius, and if appetite sets in, check out Cuisine in Mauritius, Restaurants in Mauritius or a simple take away or home delivery if you are staying in a vacation rental in Mauritius.

Important facts for driving in Mauritius

  • Emergency Services Numbers:
     (+230) 112 -  Police    
     (+230)  114 Ambulance
     (+230)  115 -  Fire -  Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service Website  
      (+230)  213 2818 -  The Tourist Police service (Police du Tourisme)  
    Although these are emergency numbers, they may be occupied or not answered, keep on trying. ;)
  •  (+230) 171 -  Cyclone news  (mobile-only and only during cyclonic season Dec to May)
  • Seat belt: Compulsory in the front and back seats.
  • Children under the age of 10: May not ride in the passenger seat.
  • Drinking and driving in Mauritius: Alcohol limitations are 9 mcg (breathalyser) or 20 mg of alcohol in the bloodstream and 27 mg in the urine. As of October 2018. Read more.
  • Smoking: Forbidden if there are two or more passengers in the vehicle – including the driver.
  • Safety triangle: The car must be equipped with a safety triangle, a fluorescent jacket and a fire extinguisher.
  • Foreigners with a driving license,  issued by a competent authority in their respective country of residence are allowed to drive during their holiday in Mauritius. Also, make sure to check with your ministry of transport (country of residence), if your national driver’s license is permitted for driving in Mauritius, or if an international driver’s license is needed. If so, the 2 have to be presented.
  • Peak traffic hours: You are most likely to encounter heavy traffic between 07:00 AM to 09:30 AM, and 15:00 PM to 18:00 PM. It can get pretty congested and slow at about 15 km/hr. See tip.
  • There are no toll roads in Mauritius.
  • Mauritius is 2040 km². It is 65 km (40 mi) long and 45 km (30 mi) wide. More about Mauritius.

Fun Facts - Motorised transport in Mauritius: History

Stay safe

Be alert for your own security in Mauritius. Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would anywhere in the world. Be a smart traveller. Before your trip: Organize comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy. Register your travel and contact details, so that you can be contacted in an emergency.

Some safety advice:
  • Avoid remote areas alone.
  • Do not leave valuables in view in your car.
  • Avoid unexpected offers of (seemingly free) guided tours. Ulterior motives are common.
  • Do not patron unlicensed taxis (taxi marrons). Some robbers use this trick to lure and attack their victims.

The Tourist Police service (Police du Tourisme)    (+230) 213 2818

Related links to driving in Mauritius:

PDF Downloads

 

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Speed limits in Mauritius

You have 4 types of road in Mauritius:

  1. Dual carriageway - 110 km/h
  2. Primary roads -  60 - 80 km/h
  3. Secondary roads - up to 80 km/h
  4. Town and village roads 40 km/h

In residential areas and villages you "should" only drive 40 km/h but not always signposted, yet some roads signs in town or villages are ambiguous indicating 60 km/h. On country roads, the speed limit is 80 km/h and on the dual carriageway (motorway) it is 110 km/h, taxis have to drive slower.

Speed traps in Mauritius (Cameras)

Speed traps are placed for preventive measures as opposed to punitive.

Speed cameras are yellow and make it easy to distinguish them.  As you approach a speed trap you have 300 meters to control your speed as indicated. You will see three lines on the road meaning you have 300 meters before the camera, 2 lines 200 meters and one line 100 meters.

You'll see numerous drivers driving through at high speeds to the last line (100 meters) and then slam on the breaks. The police have now additional speed control with a handheld speed camera (mobile) control and target these drivers from the 300 to 100-meter point.

The police presence using portable radar camera (mobile) is often used at new temporary dangerous points e.g. road works. On school terms and holidays, these mobile speed cameras are used continuously so as to "educate" the driver to respect the speed independent of periodical events that may be a hazard or danger.

Map of Mauritius showing fixed and mobile speed cameras.

The map below shows all speed cameras in Mauritius. We cannot guarantee this is up to date but at first glance, it seems correct.

The additional "policeman" icon on the map indicates handheld cameras. For more information, click on the three different icons used. 

 

Common sense to auto-regulate your speed limit

  • Some villages and towns don't even have pavements, common sense must prevail, reduce speed in those areas.
  • Roads are badly lit at night except for dual carriageways and town roads.
  • Villages and towns have a lot of stray dogs.
  • If you're driving at night beware of drivers under the influence of alcohol.
    • Week-ends especially coastal beach areas where Mauritians camp and party all weekend, be cautious Sunday afternoons when Mauritians head home as from 15:00 PM. In some areas like Flic en Flac, one point of entry and exit Sunday afternoons are subject to traffic jams at the snail pace of 15-25 km/h stop and go traffic.
  • Overtaking cycles, mopeds and motorbikes treat them as a car. Mauritians tend to "skim" them when overtaking. Make sure that you have half a lane to overtake with ample space. They can suddenly swerve out because of an obstruction in the gutter or a pothole.
  • Drivers in Mauritius tend to tailgate and as such slow down and let them overtake you.
    • Keep your distance from the car in front of you, be prepared to be overtaken to have your space in front of you "hijacked".
  • Dangerous bends where oncoming drivers tend to overtake.

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Traffic lights

Some traffic lights have road sensors that trigger the change of light to green, as can bee seen on the rear wheels of this car. You need to cross them with your front wheels i.e. close to the white stop line. In this case, the driver has crossed the white stop line, which is an infraction. See road fines and traffic offences in Mauritius.

Most times than not, whilst waiting for the traffic light to turn green, an oncoming driver will flash his full-beam light frantically signalling he wants to take your priority to turn right (your left). That is generally accepted, so be cautious. Obviously, if there is an accident the other driver would be at fault.

Pedestrian crossings

Pelican crossings

Pelican crossings control traffic flow using a light sequence to allow pedestrians to cross safely. When a pedestrian presses a button on the crossing the lights will change to red for traffic after a timed delay then returns to green after another timed delay.

Pedestrians will still cross, even if the "little guy" is on static red and you are probably on amber or even green. So don't be surprised. Oh! Don't forget the dogs, they also use pelican and pedestrian crossings believe it or not.

Pedestrian (Zebra) crossings

These are not very visible in Mauritius as you drive up to them, they don't have the flashing orange beacons (like in Europe) which can be seen clearly at a distance towering over parked cars. There are no controls on zebra crossings but, by law, vehicles must give way to pedestrians waiting to cross or crossing.

Puffin crossing

Mauritius does not use them. Similar to pelican crossing but the timing is controlled by sensors mounted on the lights rather than a timer. The sensors can detect if pedestrians are still on the crossing and control the sequence of the lights accordingly. Puffin crossing also doesn’t have the flashing amber phase for vehicles.

Toucan crossing

Mauritius does not use them.  Crossing designed for pedestrians and cyclists to use at the same time. On zebra, pelican and puffin crossings cyclists are meant to dismount before crossing. Toucan crossings are wider, allowing space for cyclists to remain on their bikes.

Pegasus (or equestrian) crossing

Mauritius does not use them.   The rarest type of crossing, this is designed to make life easier for horse riders crossing the carriageway. It works in the same way as a puffin crossing, with the sequence controlled by sensors mounted on the lights but also features two sets of control buttons - one at pedestrian height and one-two metres above the ground for riders to use.

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Drinking and driving in Mauritius penalties

If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs :

Fine MUR

From - To

Suspension or loss of driving license

Detention

Prison

First-time offence20,000-50,000Automatically 1-year suspension of driving licenseUntil sobrietyUp to 5 years
Second-time offence50,000-75,000Driving license is revokedUntil sobriety1-8 years
Mauritian residents: Will be informed of date to appear in court for hearing/trial
Foreign nationals: Will be permitted to leave the country however if they return they will be held in custody. This is obviously open to abuse by the driver and maybe the police officer that may be bribed. What do you think of this as a tourist or Mauritian resident?

Literature

After a lot of research, to update this section, we were able to complete this with the help of Barlen Munusami (Sgt. in the Mauritius Police Force) who is the author of  "The complete driver's handbook" (Mauritius). His book is only available in Mauritius. La Sentinelle is the publisher.

Barlen will be writing a new book next year about defensive driving.

Back to Drinking and driving in Mauritius

Defensive driving in Mauritius

You should definitely apply defensive driving in Mauritius, below is a video to refresh your memory. Obviously the snow and winter part does not apply. You can apply these tips when you return from your holiday in Mauritius. :) The fog section may apply in the centre of island 700 meters above sea level but rare. December to March is the cyclonic period which brings a lot of rain and you need to know what to do when you aquaplane  (make sure your tyres have enough tread). Check this post about hydroplaning/aquaplaning on our Facebook page: wwwdotgotodotmu - Driving in Mauritius.

Although you are always responsible for the way you operate your vehicle, the one thing you can't control is how other people drive their vehicles. That is why applying the art of defensive driving is so important. In addition to other drivers, it's important to know that defensive driving can also be used in bad weather, car malfunctions, and other hazardous situations.

This video answers the following important questions to help you stay "safer" on the road:

  • What is a "safety cushion" and how do you use it?
  • What part of the lane should your car or vehicle be in?
  • How do you handle a tire blowout?
  • How often should you check your mirrors and what should you look for?
  • What is the "counting rule" and the "three-second rule"?
  • What do you do if your car starts to hydroplane?
  • How do you pass trucks and buses differently than cars?
  • What can you do about distracted drivers?
  • How do you handle tailgaters or other aggressive drivers?
  • How to deal with road rage?
  • How to deal with bad weather including snow, rain or other hazards?
  • What do you do in case your car starts skidding?

 

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Driving on the left side at roundabouts and road signs in Mauritius

Probably the most challenging if you have never driven on the left-hand side. The video tutorial below provides skilled and learner drivers with accurate information for dealing with roundabouts, along with tips and safety routines. We could all benefit watching this tutorial. If we were able to adhere to these rules driving through a roundabout and a little road courtesy on top of that, we would have fewer traffic jams.


  • Approaching a roundabout: Vehicles entering a roundabout must give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout.
  • Giving way at a roundabout: The driver must slow down and if necessary, stop to avoid a collision.
  • Turning left: On your approach to a roundabout you must select the left lane, signal left, stay in the left lane to exit.
  • Going straight ahead: Do not signal when approaching the roundabout but always signal left before exiting a roundabout. You may approach the roundabout from either left or right lanes (unless there are road markings with other instructions), drive in the same lane through the roundabout and exit in the same lane.
  • Turning right: On your approach, to a roundabout, you must select the right lane, signal right, stay in the right lane and signal left before exiting into the right lane.
  • Making a U-turn: When you use the roundabout to make a U-turn on your approach signal right from the right lane, stay in the right lane, but signal left before exiting into the right lane.
  • Exiting a roundabout: If practical, you must always signal left when exiting a roundabout.

    Driving on left hand side in Mauritius - Roundabouts

Roundabouts and bicycle riders

Bicycle riders are allowed to turn right from the left-hand lane. When passing each exit, the rider must give way to any vehicle leaving the roundabout from that exit.

NOTE:

  • There are no cycle lane or path in Mauritius, bicycles ride on the left of the road.
  • Wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle is not mandatory but is recommended.

The diagram shows how to indicate and give way at roundabouts.

Driving on left hand side in Mauritius - Roundabouts

Risks to watch out for

Take extra care whenever you drive in a roundabout:

  • Keep an eye out for cars that are leaving the roundabout
  • Be careful if changing lanes in a roundabout, particularly when leaving
  • Look out for vehicles that are making a full turn
  • Watch for bicycles, long vehicles and motorcycles.

Driving through a roundabout in Mauritius can seem a bit complicated and can be most times, where road signage may be missing. This is where the police takeover and "try" to keep the traffic fluid. Not an easy task. You may ask yourself, why don't they place road signs? Most road signs are made of metal and are often stolen for scrap metal, an ongoing battle to alleviate traffic jams caused by poor signage or road education.

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Unofficial traffic signs in Mauritius

Swipe left (Smartphone).

Unofficial traffic signs in Mauritius

Here are some traffic rules understood by Mauritian drivers and are of common knowledge:

Outstretched hand

whilst driving

I am turning right! If arm at 90 degrees with hand pointing left, then I'm turning left.

in a traffic jam

Caution I am changing lane! Generally doesn't work. You have to give other drivers a pleading look and most times than not they let you swap lane.

A car which is driving tightly on the kerbside. Basically slowing down all traffic.
There are no road signs showing minimum speeds, even on dual carriageways (Motorways).

I don’t really want to drive fast, saving on petrol. Please just overtake me.

Note: Mostly cars that are more than 20 years old or elder inexperienced drivers who have just acquired their license.

waving underhand

Overtake!! Now! You can!

Honking shortly

whilst driving

Caution! I am coming! Please stay in your lane because I am overtaking!

at traffic lights

Go! Lights have changed to amber! Probably you know it but just accelerate. Generally, cars that have more than 2,000 cc. These drivers are more likely to intimidate other drivers.

Honking long

I had the right of way!! Or you took my priority.

A policeman who gives the come-on wave, especially  during rush hour

Faster, please! How else should this traffic jam ever end?

More on driving in Mauritius

Statistics | Driving Environment | Driver Behaviour | Vehicles | Speed Limits | Traffic Signals | Road Signs | Road Markings | Kerb Markings | Roundabouts | Intersections | Pedestrian Crossings | Railway Crossings | Highways | City Driving | Rural Roads | Night Driving Parking | Oddities

Fun Facts - Motorised transport in Mauritius: History

Drinking and driving in Mauritius: Alcohol limitations are 9 mcg (breathalyser) or 20mg of alcohol in the bloodstream and 27 mg in urine . As of October 2018. Read more.

Don't hesitate to join the discussion.

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Parking and coupons

Except for Port Louis, Rose Hill, Curepipe and Quatre Bornes public parking is free of charge and easily accessed. In these towns, parking is only possible with parking coupons. Coupons can be purchased in petrol stations (125 in Mauritius) and major supermarkets. They are valid for either half an hour or one hour and have to be perforated with date and time of parking.

It is an offence NOT to perforate parking coupons e.g. you may NOT use a pencil or pen to cross mark arrival time with the intention to reuse the coupon. There are two different parking zone fees and depending on the zone parking is either 10 or 20 Rupees a half hour. Last price hike 2011.

Counterfeit parking coupons are circulating in Mauritius. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is looking to introduce payment methods used abroad. See this article in French .

Find a list of official coupon resellers. The list is provided by the Parking Unit and may not be up to date.

Note: Always park on the left side e.g. the way the traffic is flowing, never on the right side, it is not permitted and you'll get a ticket.

Alternative parking in Port Louis as opposed to using coupons

Caudan Waterfront

If you are driving into Port Louis we would advise you to park in Caudan Waterfront. It costs 85 Rupees for the first 2 hours,  but less stressful. The parking tower can easily be found and you won’t have to drive into the city centre (if you are driving North into Port Louis and avoid substantial traffic jams.

Park and Ride United Docks (Caudan Waterfront)

Another option is to use the services from Park and Ride.
  1. Parking facilities
  2. 1st hour is free of charge, next 3 hours MUR 100 and a full day MUR 150. This is the cheapest parking you'll find in Port Louis.
  3. A free shuttle is included in the parking rates.

Champ de Mars free parking

Another opportunity for people who know Port Louis would be parking at the Champ de Mars Racecourse ( hippodrome),  which is only accessible when there are no horse racing events, generally in the summer season (See Peak season in Mauritius ). In our cooler season (April to December) horse racing events are on Saturdays. See related link: Mauritian horse racing through the years.

It is just on the outskirt of Port Louis but you would enjoy "free" parking. Walkabout 1,500 meters to the centre of Port Louis. In summer you would work up a good sweat, not advisable for those that can't cope with the summer heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in the shade. You'll find some Mauritians, especially ladies walk with an umbrella as opposed to a parasol. Practical to stay in the shade. You'd think this would be more convenient and generalised in Mauritius or other hot countries.

Note:

  • Never park under a coconut tree.
  • Don’t leave valuable objects in your car, petty crime is on the rise (unfortunately) in Mauritius.

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Car Rentals

If you want to rent a car in Mauritius, make sure it is an official car rental service. Official car rentals have yellow license plates.

You can find cheap "illegal" car rentals on the internet at half the price to the branded car rentals. The downside, if you have an accident the insurance won't cover you, notwithstanding you and the car owner is committing a criminal act. In such a situation, you would not be able to leave the country until you go to court.
Check Maki Car Rental for extremely competitive rates and a professional approach.
Note: We have no commercial relationship with this company, just endorsing excellent value for money and service.

Petrol stations opening hours

By law, petrol stations are obliged to open from 06:00 AM to 20:00 PM.

Refuelling

Petrol stations are usually easy to find. Nevertheless, there are almost no 24/7 stations so you better refill the tank before going on a night trip.
La Croisette, Pamplemousses, Calebasses, GRNW, Bagatelle, Curepipe and La Preneuse have 24/7 fuel station.

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Travelling by metered taxi

Taxis are the best way to visit the island. Various tours are available from MUR2,500: The holy lake, Chamarel 7 coloured earth, Le Morne, dolphin tours in Tamarin and Ile aux Cerfs are among the most appreciated by visitors.

Do not patron unlicensed taxis. They promise a cheaper ride but, lately, there has been a surge in cases of robbers using this trick to lure and attack their victims.

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Travelling by bus

Mauritius has a good bus network, which is spread throughout the country. So most of the locals use the bus to get around Mauritius.

Mauritian buses are in good conditions. Lately, there has been a major improvement in the bus transport sector in Mauritius. Some buses on the island have now automatic doors, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned. Air-conditioned buses are usually more expensive.

Travelling by bus in Mauritius is becoming more comfortable on main routes, as for the other routes it's a "special adventure" which is to be considered just for the experience. Furthermore, it is the cheapest way of travelling in Mauritius.

If you have a long distance to travel, make sure you have ample time to return. Depending on the region the last buses leave between 18:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs and in some towns even later but not coastal routes.

The fare for one bus ride varies between MUR 10 to 35. If you have to change the bus you need to purchase a new ticket.

Buses are still manned by a driver and a conductor who walks around collecting fares and issuing tickets after passengers have boarded. Tell the conductor where you want to go and he'll tell you the fare amount. Upon payment, he'll give you a ticket with the charged amount printed on it. Keep your tickets until you reach your destination. Try to pay with small denominations or the conductor may not have enough change. Intentional over-charging of tourists is not common.

Most conductors are very helpful in providing directions to tourists. In the local Creole dialect, the conductors are called con-tro-lair (literally controller)

Signs on the front side of the bus indicates the destination. There are timetables for buses, however not "always" reliable.

The major bus companies in Mauritius are:

  • National Transport Corporation (NTC): (+230) 426 29 38
  • United Bus Service (UBS):   (+230) 212 20 26
  • Mauritius Bus Transport (MTB), Long Mountain (Mr Dhiraj Dosieah):   (+230) 245 25 39
  • Triolet Bus Service (TBS):   (+230) 261 67 25
  • Rose Hill Transport (RHT):   (+230) 464 12 21
  • Others. Other smaller companies have amusing names such as Apollo and Turbo

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Light Rail Travel - Metro Leger (Express)

Mauritius doesn't currently have a railway system... The Mauritius light rail project, long-awaited, should really alleviate traffic congestion.

The Metro Express in Mauritius is currently being constructed and in October 2019 (Phase 1) will be operational from Port Louis to Rose Hill. September 2021 (Phase 2) from Port Louis to Curepipe. The service will span over 26 km.

Will the Metro Leger reduce traffic congestion in Mauritius?

Road traffic congestion is a problem that we all face worldwide, especially in the major cities and rush hour. It's a challenge that has grown at an alarming rate as our lives have become increasingly dominated by the need to own a vehicle. Sitting in a traffic jam is frustrating and not particularly productive unless you break the law and browse your Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp (Social Media) accounts. It is an economic burden for all concerned notwithstanding stress and eventual road rage.

And it is not only the motorist that suffers. Congested streets make life less unpleasant for pedestrians and increased traffic leads to more accidents. What is more, the inexorable growth of traffic has led to significant problems of pollution. Traffic is noisy and car fumes are unpleasant and lead to substantial environmental damage. It is true that the move to unleaded petrol has at times reduced the problem of lead pollution, but the constant growing emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide have aggravated the problem of global warming and acid rain.

Between 2015 and 2017, road traffic in Mauritius has risen by 52%.  Most passengers and freight in Mauritius is transported by road. In 2017, 94% of passenger and 81% of freight tonnage in Mauritius are by road. It's a pity that we have no railways ( dismantled in the '60s ), otherwise, we would not be where we are today.  Many road passengers (about 92%) travelled by car in 2017 and is still growing. Today, vehicle costs amount to some 19% of household expenditure.

Is traffic congestion a price worth paying for the benefits we gain from using cars? Or are there things that can be done to ease the problem without greatly inconveniencing the travellers or commuters? And if something is to be done, should the government of Mauritius seek to extend the role of the market for example by encouraging the building of private toll roads or merely to amend market forces, for example by subsidising public transport or banning cars in certain areas.

We ought to look at various schemes and at their respective costs and long term benefits. But first, it is necessary to examine the existing system of allocating road space and see the extent to which it meets or fails to meet society’s transport objectives. This will enable us to identify the challenges that the Mauritian government need to address. We should really focus on the motor car and passenger transport, but clearly lorries are another major source of congestion and any comprehensive policy to deal with traffic congestion must also examine freight transport.

There is already a Rs 5 billion program to alleviate road congestion in Mauritius earmarked in the last budget (2017) for infrastructural. Major works are now underway and should be finalised by 2021, supposedly.

What people want is not the car journey for its own sake but to reach their destination in comfort and stress-free. The greater the benefit they gain at their destination, the greater the benefit they gain for using their cars to get there.

Apart from being unpopular with people who want to park, there are some serious drawbacks with parking restrictions:

  1. Drivers may well “park in orbit”, driving round and round looking for a parking space, and in the meantime adding to congestion.
  2. Drivers may park illegally. This adds to further congestion notwithstanding eventual safety hazard.
  3. Drivers may have no other option to park in residential side streets causing noise pollution for residents.

Questions?

  • Will the introduction of Metro Leger (Express) be beneficial for the country to eliminate traffic congestion?
  • How expensive will it be to use this service?
  • Is the Mauritian population ready to adapt to paying more?
  • If travelling from Curepipe to Port Louis, how long would it take? Currently, this takes anything between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on if schools are on holidays, torrential rain or civil servants are given an unofficial day's leave.
  • We proud ourselves to be a luxury holiday destination. Can one consider driving 30 kms in 90 minutes and more luxury? No wonder the tourist rather stay in their resort as opposed to exploring Mauritius.
  • Could the Metro Leger (Express) benefit tourism and the general population? Would more be spent outside of resorts if tourists were able to travel throughout Mauritius in an acceptable time frame?
  • Would taxis in Mauritius be affected economically? If so, how will it impact this social middle class?
  • It is estimated that 250,000 people travel to Port Louis every day either by bus, car or motorcycle. With a 1.3 million population can one consider this a nightmare?

The old railway traffic warning signs: STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN which used to be displayed before the approaching of the old railway lines of long ago is still in the mind of our elder generation. Should the Mauritian government therefore stop, look and listen and take into consideration the location and economic development of the country. On the other hand, who knows, this project of Metro Leger (Express) could be a blessing in disguise. ONLY TIME WILL TELL!

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What is your perspective on driving and travelling in Mauritius? Whether you are Mauritian, Expat or tourist join the discussion below.

More on driving in Mauritius

Statistics | Driving Environment | Driver Behaviour | Vehicles | Speed Limits | Traffic Signals | Road Signs | Road Markings | Kerb Markings | Roundabouts | Intersections | Pedestrian Crossings | Railway Crossings | Highways | City Driving | Rural Roads | Night Driving Parking | Oddities

Fun Facts - Motorised transport in Mauritius: History

Drinking and driving in Mauritius: Alcohol limitations are 9 mcg (breathalyser) or 20mg of alcohol in the bloodstream and 27 mg in urine . As of October 2018. Read more.

Traffic Offences, fines and road traffic laws in Mauritius

PDF Downloads

Free Marketing for Vacation Rental Owners

Online magazine | 5 vacation rental listings FREE of charge worth €2,500 | FREE marketing support | FREE vacation rental listings renewal policy | Creating cash flow for Vacation rental owners, property management companies or agents | Contact Us | Ask questions and comment about our website

Other interesting links:

Fun Facts - Motorised transport in Mauritius

History

At the beginning of 1860, the transport of passengers and goods was undertaken by about 2,000 horses, 4,000 donkeys and 4,500 carriages and carts. [1] With the advent of the railways, and later of motorized transport, animal-based transport systems declined on the island.

In January 1901, the first two-seater car, imported by Goupille & Cie,  was disembarked. In October of that same year, the Union Regnard sugar estate (Now F.U.E.L) received the first motorized truck of British origin, capable of transporting up to 5 tons. [2]

In 1930, the island had 3,016 vehicles: around 2,401 private cars, 300 taxis, 303 trucks, 92 buses and 220 motorcycles. In 1950, vehicles numbered in the 5,161 and went up to 13,291 in 1960 with the decline of the railways. In 1970, the number of vehicles nearly doubled, going to 25,389 motorised vehicles. This included 12,546 cars, 4,171 trucks, 722 buses and 5,383 motorcycles. [3] Public transport, in the form of buses, grew in line with the demographic and economic growth of the island. Thus, buses numbered 186 in 1950, 488 in 1960, 722 in 1970 and 1,490 in 1980. [4]

As of June 2011, 392,276 vehicles are registered on the island. 46% consists of cars and dual-purpose vehicles and 41% of motorized two-wheelers. The remaining 13% consists of vans, lorries and trucks, buses and other vehicles. [5]

Sources:

  1. Nagapen, Amédée (2010). Histoire de la Colonie: Isle de France - Ile Maurice (1721-1968) . Editions de L'Océan Indien. p. 92. ISBN   978-99903-0-619-4 .
  2. Nagapen, Amédée (2010). Histoire de la Colonie: Isle de France - Ile Maurice (1721-1968) . Editions de L'Océan Indien. p. 92. ISBN   978-99903-0-619-4 .
  3. Nagapen, Amédée (2010). Histoire de la Colonie: Isle de France - Ile Maurice (1721-1968) . Editions de L'Océan Indien. p. 138. ISBN   978-99903-0-619-4 .
  4. Nagapen, Amédée (2010). Histoire de la Colonie: Isle de France - Ile Maurice (1721-1968) . Editions de L'Océan Indien. pp. 153–154. ISBN   978-99903-0-619-4 .
  5. Statistics Mauritius. "Road Transport and Road Traffic Accident Statistics: January - June 2011– Highlights" . Road Transport and Road Traffic Accident Statistics (Island of Mauritius). Statistics Mauritius. Retrieved 2 September 2011.

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