Ethiopia: Addis Ababa launches light rail network
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
September 21, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) –The Addis Ababa electrified light railway network officially commenced operation Sunday, head of Ethiopia Railways Corporation (ERC) said.
“A remaining 17-kilometer long route, stretching from East to west part of the capital will begin providing service next month,” he told reporters in Addis Ababa Monday.
Trial operation, the official said, had been taking place since February this year, courtesy of a number of qualified personnel who had been receiving training overseas.
According to Getachew, the minimum tariff to a transport distance covering 4 kilometers is 2 birr ($0.096), while the cost for 17km covering a whole journey is 6 birr ($0.193).
Payment system of the railway service will reportedly involve both cash and electromagnetic card that has to be used when boarding and getting off.
Getachew said services would be provided to the public under huge government subsidy.
“If there are many loopholes, we are ready to identify and address in due course. We will make strong supervision in areas where movement of people is high”, he stressed.
The new rail transport network is expected to ease the huge public transport problems in one of the world’s most populace city.
When contacted by Sudan Tribune, however, some Addis Ababa residents expressed delight after seeing the long-awaited railway system become operational.
Most of them said previously, they had to wait for up to half an hour or more to catch a bus or taxi, but with the start of the rail transport, they would now be able to arrive at their respective work places or schools on time.
Ethiopia’s rail way, which is the first urban light rail transit system in sub-Saharan Africa reportedly has the capacity to transport 15,000 passengers per hour in one direction.
The Ethiopian government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build modern transport systems to support development. With an average annual 11% economic growth, Ethiopia is one of the world’s ten fastest growing economies.
Ethiopia which intends to be a regional power exporter however is recently being hit by severe power blackouts.
But officials told Sudan Tribune that the electric power for the railway is directly connected to the main grid and blackouts won’t affect route of trains.
The US $ 475 million double track electrified light rail transit project was launched by China’s Eryuan Engineering Group in January 2012 under a contract signed in June 2009.
China’s Export-Import Bank provided loans to cover 85% of the project while the remaining 15% was financed by the Ethiopian government.
Meanwhile, Arkebe Equbay, special adviser on economic affairs to the Ethiopian prime minister said Ethiopia was planning to build Africa’s first Railway Academy.
According to government official, the aim is to build up qualified expertise in the field of railway engineering to run the railway projects now being undertaken in Ethiopia.
The railway academy will be built at the cost of $39.3 million using funds secured from China.
“The Academy would be an important element in accomplishing the goals of the Growth and Transformation Plan II”, said Arkebe.
Ethiopia’s five year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP I) has been completed earlier on September and the second five year GTP is launched during which the horn of Africa’s nation intends to accomplish a number of massive projects including Africa’s largest power plant project. The country intends to join middle income countries by 2025 however some economists say it is an over ambitious plan.
(ST)