Metro Express Resumes Weekend Service After Four-Day Shutdown

Metro Express, Mauritius's light rail network connecting Port Louis to Curepipe, is resuming passenger services this weekend following a four-day suspension that was linked to civil unrest across the island.

Trains will operate on Saturday and Sunday between 7am and 5pm only. Passengers should note that these are reduced hours compared to the usual timetable, so journeys outside that window will not be possible over the weekend.

From Monday, Metro Express is expected to return to its full, normal schedule, restoring the service that thousands of commuters and students rely on daily for travel between the capital and central towns including Rose-Hill, Quatre-Bornes and Vacoas.

The suspension had already caused significant disruption. Metro Express estimated damage from the shutdown at around Rs 45 million, a figure that reflects both lost fare revenue and costs related to the unrest. The light rail system, which is operated by a public-private partnership and is a flagship infrastructure project of the Mauritian government, does not have an alternative route or mode for passengers when it halts.

The resumption comes as authorities have been gradually easing restrictions introduced during the period of unrest. A curfew that had been in place across Mauritius was recently adjusted, and bus services, which had also been operating on restricted hours, are similarly returning toward normal patterns.

For commuters who depend on Metro Express to reach work or school, the weekend window of 7am to 5pm should cover most daytime needs, though those with early morning departures or evening journeys will need to make alternative arrangements for Saturday and Sunday.

Passengers are advised to check official Metro Express communication channels for any last-minute updates to the weekend timetable before travelling.

What this means: If you use Metro Express regularly, you can board trains this Saturday and Sunday but only between 7am and 5pm. Plan your journeys accordingly and allow extra time, as demand may be higher than usual after several days without service. Full normal service resumes Monday, so the working week should be unaffected.

Source: Le Defi Media