Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo has launched a new public transportation system. The first cable car trip in Antananarivo included President Andriy Rajoelina, city officials, and the project contractors on board.
These cable cars can transport up to 75,000 people daily and aim to alleviate traffic congestion in Antananarivo, a city now home to more than 3 million residents.
The Secretary of State for New Towns and Housing at the Presidency, Gérard Andriamanohisoa, said, “Remove 75,000 passengers every day, at bus level, remove 2,000 cars at Tana road level, it’s already a lot in terms of carbon savings and especially mobility.”
With tickets costing almost one Euro each, many people in Madagascar feel they cannot afford it. This fare is also six times more expensive than a bus ticket.
Some inhabitants of the capital are dissatisfied, arguing that issues like power and water outages should have been addressed before introducing cable cars.m
Guillaume Rannaz, a technical Manager at Poma, the project contractors, stated, “We have a lot of sensors in the stations and on the line, to detect any problems before they occur, so we can stop the lift and make sure there’s no risk to passengers. We also have generators to ensure that, in the event of power cut, we can continue to run the train.”
A resident of Antananarivo, Henry Razafimanantsoa, asked, “We don’t have water, we don’t have electricity, and when we do have water, it’s just mud coming out of the tap, even though we’re still paying the bills! Why not solve these social problems first?’’
President Rajoelina has staunchly defended the project despite accusations that it increases Madagascar’s debt to France, the former colonial power.
“We have to dare to transform and develop our country. It’s always the people who criticized who couldn’t do anything. Whether we should have done this project or not, I say yes. You know, there was a lot of criticism of the construction of the Eiffel Tower. But what is it now that attracts tourists to France? Isn’t it the Eiffel Tower?,” Rajoelina said.
The government announced plans to offer a subsidized fare for students and pensioners.
The cable cars are scheduled to be available for public use in 2025.
Nancy Mbamalu
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