La Réunion debates new railway project to combat traffic

A proposal to reintroduce a railway system in La Réunion has resurfaced as a potential solution to the island's severe traffic congestion. The proposed project involves a rail link connecting the east and south of the island, running from Saint-Benoît to Saint-Joseph with 25 planned stations.

According to the 2023 mobility report organized by the Region and local authorities, residents spend an average of two hours and fifteen minutes in traffic daily. Regional Councilor Fabrice Hoarau described the situation as a “circulatory coma,” noting that the island has nearly 500,000 cars, with approximately 20,000 new vehicles added annually. Public sentiment appears supportive, with 77% of residents expressing a desire for intercity train services.

A similar tram-train project was considered in the early 2000s but was abandoned in favor of the Nouvelle Route du Littoral (NRL) due to political decisions.