The capital of Madagascar now offers new public transportation options.
”With a capacity of up to 75,000 passengers per day, the vehicles are intended to ease traffic in the capital of Madagascar, home to more than 3 million people today”
Along with project contractors, city authorities, and President Andriy Rajoelina, the first cable car rolled over Antananarivo’s districts.
With a daily capacity of up to 75,000 passengers, the vehicles are intended to ease traffic in the capital of Madagascar, home to more than 3 million people.
“It’s already a lot in terms of carbon savings and especially mobility, to remove 75,000 passengers every day at the bus level and 2,000 cars at the Tana road level,” stated Gérard Andriamanohisoa, Secretary of State for New Towns and Housing at the Presidency.
France loan project
France supplied the construction loan of 152 million euros. The vehicles will transport people over a 12-kilometer radius. Tests were carried out in June to evaluate the autos’ safety.
“To identify any issues before they arise and ensure that there is no risk to passengers, we have numerous sensors at the stations and on the route. In addition, we have generators so that we can keep running the train in the event of a power outage,” explained Guillaume Rannaz, a technical manager at Poma, the company that completed the project.
A ticket costs almost one Euro, so many Madagascarns already feel priced out. Additionally, the cost is six times that of a bus ticket.
A few capital citizens are not thrilled, claiming that cable vehicles should have been investigated before power and water outages.
Despite the fact that we are still paying the bills, we have no access to electricity or water, and when we do, it’s just mud gushing out of the tap! “Why not address these social issues first?” inquired Antananarivo resident Henry Razafimanantsoa.
Despite concerns that the project increases Madagascar’s debt to France, the former colonial ruler of the country, President Rajoelina has vehemently supported it.
To change and advance our nation, we must have the guts. Those who criticize are always the ones who were unable to stop them. I say that we should have completed this project. You know, the building of the Eiffel Tower was met with a great deal of criticism. However, what is it that draws travelers to France these days? “Is that not the Eiffel Tower?” inquired Rajoelina.
According to the administration, a discounted fare is in the works for seniors and students.
The vehicles won’t be available for general public use until 2025.
