The Mauritian government is preparing to launch a new international tender for the development of the Vacoas Urban Terminal project. This comes after several years of unsuccessful attempts to move the project forward. The new approach includes a revised concept and economic model aimed at better meeting the needs of users and traders. The project aims to improve public transport organization and support the transformation of the city center.
The project will be developed on a 6.6-acre state-owned land in a strategic area of Vacoas. Initial plans for the project date back to 2020, when a consortium was selected to develop a project that included transport facilities, commercial spaces, offices, restaurants, and parking. The estimated investment at the time was around Rs 4 billion. However, the project did not materialize due to disagreements between parties on several issues.
In February 2024, a new call for proposals was launched but did not result in a contract being awarded. The authorities have since revised the concept to avoid repeating some of the difficulties seen in other urban infrastructure projects, such as low occupancy of commercial spaces. The future terminal is expected to balance transport efficiency, accessibility for travelers, traders' needs, and financial viability.
The government has consulted with the Vacoas-Phoenix municipality and local representatives to examine expectations for the site's configuration. A technical committee involving several public institutions is continuing preparatory work. The model envisaged is a public-private partnership of the Design, Build and Operate type. The selected operator will be responsible for designing, financing studies, building, and operating the terminal.
The operator will need to conduct traffic studies and environmental evaluations in accordance with the requirements of the competent authorities. They will also need to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals before starting work. Despite progress in preparing the file, no promoter has yet been selected under the new procedure. The definitive cost, technical characteristics, and work schedule remain to be established.
For the inhabitants of Vacoas and public transport users, the next concrete step will be the official publication of the call for tenders, followed by its possible attribution. The authorities are working to ensure that the project meets the real needs of users and traders, while ensuring its financial viability. The project's success will depend on the effective collaboration of the public and private sectors.
The Vacoas Urban Terminal project is expected to have a positive impact on the region, improving public transport and supporting the transformation of the city center. The government is committed to ensuring that the project is developed in a sustainable and responsible manner, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders. The new international tender is expected to attract high-quality proposals from experienced operators.
Key points
- The project aims to improve public transport organization and support the transformation of the city center.
- The new approach includes a revised concept and economic model aimed at better meeting the needs of users and traders.
- The project will be developed on a 6.6-acre state-owned land in a strategic area of Vacoas.
