Réunion Tram Train


History

Reunion used to have a rail system opened in the 1890s and closed in the 1950s and 1960s when population and traffic congestion were less.

Overview

The line would have operated as a hybrid of a tram and a train, with tram-like street-level stations in the towns and train-like speeds of up to 100 km/h on dedicated right of way between them. Trains would have been capable of carrying up to 250 passengers; the route would have also been capable of carrying freight from the port.
From west to north, the projected route of the first phase will start from St-Paul and pass through St-Denis, terminating at Roland Garros Airport in Ste-Marie. The mountainous topography of Réunion would have required a large number of viaducts and tunnels: the first phase includes 11 major engineering structures, including a 10-kilometre tunnel and the highest railway bridge in the world. The cost was estimated to be €1.25 billion for the first phase alone. Extensions east to St-Benoît and south to St-Joseph were planned.

Future plans

In 2019 a light rail system was proposed to link Le Barachois with the airport.