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# [MAURITIUS] Public Transport: 106 Electric Buses Rolling, Green Transition Gathers Speed
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/maurice-transport-public-106-bus-electriques-en-service-la-transition-verte-avance-a-grande-vitesse-en/
- Published: 2026-07-24T08:45:33.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-24T08:45:33.000Z
- Description: Mauritius has deployed 106 electric buses — 60 were the initial target. Backed by a USD 5.65M GEF grant with 80% fuel savings, the programme is real, but private operators still face major financing barriers.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: Maurice, Économie, Tech, emploi, Flash de mi-journée, #en

**Mauritius has surpassed its initial target, with 106 electric buses now in service — well above the 60 originally planned. Backed in part by a USD 5.65 million Global Environment Facility grant, the programme showcases the island's push to decarbonise public transport, while raising questions about private operators' ability to join the transition.**

## Target exceeded: 106 buses versus the 60 planned

The National Transport Corporation (NTC) now operates 100 Switch buses (gifted by the Indian government) and 5 Higer units (gifted by China), alongside a BYD acquired in 2021\. Rose-Hill Transport (RHT) has deployed 6 additional Higer vehicles. Combined, this brings the island's electric fleet to 112 units — nearly double the original programme target.

Each vehicle carries a price tag of around 12 million Mauritian rupees (MUR), partially offset through the Bus Modernisation Scheme subsidy of 3.5 million MUR per unit, within a total programme envelope of 150 million MUR.

## 80% savings on energy costs

The operational impact is clear: operators are recording 80% reductions in energy spending compared to conventional diesel buses. Vehicles charge off-peak, between 10pm and 6am, at depots in Forest-Side, La Tour-Koenig and Rémy Ollier, drawing from the CEB grid. The next step is to transition these charging facilities progressively to solar photovoltaic energy.

On the maintenance side, the absence of combustion engines, gearboxes and exhaust systems significantly reduces the number of components requiring upkeep. Battery warranties run five years against a seven-year nominal lifespan.

## The barrier: upfront costs for private operators

The main obstacle to faster rollout is straightforward: at 12 million MUR per bus, the electric transition remains out of reach for independent private operators without dedicated financing. Supply chain disruptions have added further pressure, pushing spare parts prices up 10–15% and weighing on overall fleet economics.

Transport Minister Osman Mahomed and UNDP Resident Representative Alka Bhatia both stressed the need for "innovative financing mechanisms" to widen access beyond public operators.

## Why it matters

Mauritius has made climate commitments under the UNFCCC. Public transport is one of the most visible — and fastest — levers for decarbonising urban mobility in a small island state. With 106 buses in service and an active GEF programme, the island is demonstrating that the transition is achievable in the Indian Ocean region. But without financing solutions for the private sector, the model will remain dependent on bilateral donations from India and China.