Malenga, Saint-Pierre: A Defective Public Transport System

In Malenga, located in the Saint-Pierre region, public transport has been a significant issue for residents for nearly twenty years. The village relies solely on private buses, which operate without fixed schedules or regularity, severely complicating daily life for the residents.

According to locals, the current service is woefully inadequate. On weekdays, only one bus runs in the morning and another in the afternoon towards Rose Hill. On Saturdays, there is only one bus at 6:30 AM, while on Sundays and public holidays, a single bus is available at 3 PM. Outside of these limited times, no service is offered.

Due to this lack of transport, many residents are forced to walk to L'Avenir in hopes of catching a bus. This situation is particularly burdensome for the elderly, workers, students, and families without personal transportation.

On the radio show Explik Ou Ka, Rakesh, a local resident, voiced the general frustration. He explained that a petition letter signed by over 500 residents has already been sent to the relevant authorities, including the National Land Transport Authority. "We've been promised solutions for years, but nothing changes," he lamented.

From the authorities' side, Iqbal Oozageer, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, stated that two buses currently serve the region, with a bus approximately every hour. However, he noted that because Malenga is a small village, the frequency remains limited due to the low number of passengers.