Newly constructed light rail system in East Africa starts operation

Posted on :Friday , 25th September 2015

The mega electrified light rail system in Ethiopia which cost US$ 475m during construction has finally commenced operation, head of Ethiopia Railways Corporation Getachew Betru has confirmed.

The rail construction project was largely supported by China’s Export-Import Bank.

The 32km light rail system in Ethiopia which is Africa’s first light rail is expected to carry a capacity of up to 15,000 people per hour in one direction meaning it could attain four times that in all directions, with a projected top speed of 70km/hr hence leading to the reduction of traffic in the highly populated country.

A number of 39 stations are positioned across the service and a network of alleyways—including 12 escalators and 22 elevators, will direct commuters to the various railcars making everything seem easier. Fares could range up to US$0.5.

China Railway Group Limited is the company that was contacted to construct the transport system and they did it marvelously over three years after the Ethiopian government secured 85% of funding from the Export-Import Bank of China. The same Chinese will also train the drivers and maintenance staff, while another Chinese company designed the power system. Ethiopia, with a population of 94 million, is projected by the IMF to grow at 8% in 2015-16, the second-fastest pace on the continent. The second five year growth and transformation plan in Ethiopia is now underway during which the horn of Africa’s nation intends to accomplish a number of massive projects including Africa’s largest power plant project.

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