“The present state of affairs suggests that a coherent implementation plan with respect to road development does not exist.” This is the gist of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) opinion report on problems associated with road congestion. The council has reviewed all the solutions proposed by the various reports asked by the government on ways to fight traffic jams. Its recommendation finally goes in the same line as the National Transport Authority (NTA): the fitting out of a bus lane.

The government, which seems to have been shaken from a sort of slumber, looks determined to take action rapidly. The Cabinet did not even wait for the return of the minister of Public infrastructures, to deal with the issue. The prime minister’s office is studying the proposal and already seems in favour of the “bus lane.”

According to the NESC, such a road would present some advantages. It wouldn’t cost too much to the State and would be quite easy to implement. Even if the bus lane finally turned out to be inefficient for buses, other vehicles could still use it. One more road in the country is a necessity with the increasing number of vehicles. Last but not least, it would only take 12 months to implement the project.

<B>Bus lane, less risky business</B>

The light railway train (LRT) may be a good long-term solution but it would take too much time and the problem is urgent. The NESC doesn’t say that the LRT project should not materialise. It is only conscious that it won’t solve the problem in the near future.

Likewise, it brings up more questions. “If the light railway train is not profitable, the country will be dangerously indebted. If it doesn’t work, what will we do with all the infrastructure?” a member of the NESC, Claude Ricaud, wonders. The “Bus Lane” is less risky business. Moreover, he thinks that an alternative mode of transport is not sufficient to fight against traffic jams.

The problem, according to the NESC, is that the Road Development Authority (RDA) has not been given the means for a concrete planning of road building for the next few years. There has been no long-term reflection by the authorities, which has led to specific but inefficient actions in the long term.

The only way of coming out of this situation would be to make the RDA a more independent institution capable of self-financing. This is how this authority can have a longer-term perspective.

Along with the “Bus lane”, the NESC has made several recommendations to avoid major traffic jams in the short-term. These measures could be implemented in less than one year. They involve the setting up of more lay-bys for buses or reorganisation of pedestrian crossings in city centres, amongst others. The report also recom- mends the often-mentioned toll fees at the entrance of Port-Louis.