Madagascar launches first cable car to ease capital's traffic congestion
Madagascar's President Andriy Rajoelina inaugurated the nation's first cable car, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Antananarivo, the East African nation’s capital city with over 3 million residents.
President Rajoelina, accompanied by government officials, boarded the cable car, which has the capacity to transport up to 75,000 passengers daily over a 12-kilometre route.
"Antananarivo was built for 300,000 inhabitants. Now there are three million of us. This is going to reduce traffic jams and it's also a non-polluting form of transport," the Malagasy president said.
The project, financed through a $162 million loan from France, underwent safety tests throughout June. Despite the ambitious goals, there are concerns about the affordability of tickets, which are priced six times higher than bus fares, and the reliability of the power supply needed for operation.
President Rajoelina, re-elected for a third term last year and formerly the Mayor of Antananarivo, has defended the project against criticism that it deepens the country's debt to France, Madagascar's former colonial ruler.
"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 stated.
To address affordability concerns, the government announced plans for subsidized fares for students and pensioners. The cable cars are scheduled to open to the general public in 2025.
President Rajoelina is expected to choose a firm to manage the transport facilities. Reports indicate that two French companies are vying for the contract to oversee both the technical and commercial operations of the cable car system.
