China on track in Africa?
Aid from China for Africa is welcome but controversial. But in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, commuters are eagerly climbing aboard a new urban light railway, built, funded and driven by the Chinese.
New departure for public transport in Addis
It is a symbol of technological progress in Ethiopia. Sub-Saharan Africa's first urban light railway or tram service started operating in September 2015. While it was still in the planning stage, the project struck many Addis Ababa residents as almost unreal.
Funding from China
Construction of the urban light railway took five years and cost $475 million (436 million euros). 85 percent of the funding came from China's Exim Bank.
Chinese in the driver's seat
The Chinese didn't just fund and build the tram system. They also supplied the drivers as well. Ethiopian staff are responsible for security inside the carriages and at the tram stops.
Join the queue
Passengers have to purchase tickets at the ticket counter. A ticket costs between two and six birr which is around 25 euro cents. Taxis and buses are overcrowded so the new tramline is especially popular with commuters.
All aboard!
After trials lasting several months, the new tram service was opened to the public on September 29, 2015. Thousands wanted to go for a ride. Tourists lined the track eager to catch a glimpse of African railway history in the making.
More trains, more stops
There are plans to expand this urban light railway in all four directions of the compass, connecting the city center to the suburbs. So far only two lines have been completed. The service is designed to ferry 60,000 passengers a day.
Popular with commuters
When the service first started, it was a new experience for many passengers.The excitement has subsided but commuters are still impressed by the relatively inexpensive tickets and the short journey times in notoriously congested Addis Ababa. You'll only find a free seat at the end of the line, or the beginning.
Below ground
Most of the track runs above ground, at street level, but there are some stops underground such as this one, Medelik II.
Obstacles
Many of the stops are not easily accessible to people with disabilities. There are stops with escalators but not all of them work so the elderly and others have difficulty in getting to the tram. Power cuts in Addis also disrupt the tram service.
Rail safety
Some passengers cross the track without looking carefully beforehand in both directions. They are courting danger as the trains often travel faster than many people think. It's also a difficult challenge for tram staff.