SEPTEMBER 2025 - Flipbook - Page 21
TECH NEWS
itself as a fintech hub and innovator in African regulatory policy, could apply
the same foresight to transport, creating the first national blockchain-mobility
framework in the region.
If successful, the blockchain bus could become more than a local experiment.
It could be a template for small island states facing similar challenges:
balancing limited resources, heavy reliance on tourism, and ambitious climate
commitments. It would show that innovation need not come only from Silicon
Valley or Shenzhen but can be led by a nation of 1.3 million people in the
Indian Ocean.
A Bus for the Future
For more than half a century, buses in Mauritius have been the quiet workhorses of national life: dependable, affordable, and woven into the rhythms
of everyday society. Anchored by the United Bus Service Ltd and supported
by government mandates, the system has ensured that even in the absence
of rail, mobility remains a right rather than a privilege.
But the demands of the 21st century are reshaping the conversation. Climate
change, rising energy costs, digital transformation, and shifting expectations
of transparency all converge on a single truth: transport can no longer be just
about moving people. It must also move data, generate trust, and create value
in new forms.
The blockchain bus is not a dream of the distant future. It is a practical
vision rooted in global precedents from Shenzhen’s electric fleets to Estonia’s
blockchain governance, from London’s integrated transport model to
Singapore’s digitally managed routes. What Mauritius brings is its own
unique advantage: a scale small enough to innovate rapidly, but a vision
big enough to matter globally.
If realised, the blockchain bus would do more than clean the air or modernise
ticketing. It would reimagine public transport as a national platform for
sustainability, accountability, and innovation. Every fare would not just pay
for a journey but contribute to carbon reduction, every route would double
as a data stream, every tourist ticket would reinforce Mauritius’s brand as
a leader in ethical technology.
Ultimately, this is about more than buses. It is about what kind of nation
Mauritius wants to be in an age of disruption. A country content to maintain
the status quo, or one bold enough to turn its most ordinary service into
a symbol of extraordinary innovation?
The choice lies ahead. But the opportunity is here, idling at the depot, waiting
for us to climb aboard.
MK Holidays
For over 20 years, MK Holidays has proudly served as the
trusted travel partner for the British-Mauritian diaspora,
connecting the UK with Mauritius and the wider Indian
Ocean. Built on a deep understanding of the unique ties
Vitalik
Buterin, TechCrunch
Londonwe
2015
that bind our
community
to the islands,
create journeys
Photo:
John
Phillips
that are more
than
just
holidays, they are opportunities to
reconnect with family, culture, and identity.
Whether it’s a long-awaited family reunion, celebrating a
wedding or festival in Mauritius, or introducing the next
generation to their heritage, MK Holidays makes every
journey smooth, personal, and memorable. At the same
time, we welcome travellers from all backgrounds who
wish to discover the Indian Ocean’s beauty, o昀昀ering tailored
experiences that combine reliability, a昀昀ordability, and
genuine care.
Today, MK Holidays stands as a bridge between cultures,
generations, and destinations. For the diaspora, we are a
trusted companion in keeping roots alive. For others, we
are the gateway to discovering one of the world’s most
captivating regions.
Special Fare Notice:
Fly To Mauritius
Return Fare From Only
£690
London Gatwick - Mauritius Return
Travel Period: 23rd November 2025 - 30th June 2026
Terms and Conditions apply
Tickets must be purchased between 10 Sep - 30 Sep 2025
to qualify for this o昀昀er, valid for 3 months only.
info@mkholidays.co.uk
www.mkholidays.co.uk
Passengers board a bus in Mauritius
In next month’s edition, Pritish Beesooa will explore the history of Mauritius’s
modern tourism sector, offering an in-depth profile of the new Minister of
Tourism, Richard Duval, and examining the technologies that are
revolutionising how we experience and imagine travel.
0208 520 9444
07950 340 234
ATOL NO: 9741
