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Addis Ababa Inaugurates China-built Light Rail Service
2015-09-22
Local residents walk on the platform of a light rail station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 20, 2015. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km. [Photo: xinhua]
Residents of Addis Ababa have expressed their joy over the commencement of operation of the Chinese-built light rail in the capital of the East African country.
The south-north line now opened to traffic is nearly 17 kilometers long and has 22 stops, covering most of the important places in Addis Ababa.
The ticket for the whole trip is two to six dollars for each person, much cheaper than the local bus service.
A staff member from one light rail station says she is fully prepared for the operation.
"I am very happy because we can officially start working. We have received full training in such subjects as how to sell tickets and how to reply to queries from passengers. We are ready."
During the construction period, the China Railway Group, which is responsible for the project, has employed about 20,000 local workers, and trained a large group of technical people in management and operation.
According to the Ethiopian government, the light rail service operates 16 hours a day, carrying an estimated 7,500 passengers.
Mohammed is an Ethiopian passenger. He says that the light rail will greatly ease the traffic congestions in the capital city.
"The operation of a light rail service is of great significance for our country, because traffic congestions are a headache for most of us. We used to spend a lot of time waiting for buses, now that the problem has been solved. A light rail service can carry many more passengers than buses. Our country is getting better."
Early on Sunday, Ethiopia has inaugurated a modern rail project which were funded and built mainly by Chinese companies.
The light rail system is the first of its kind that has ever been built in the region, south of Sahara in Africa.
Chinese foreign ministry has noted that the light rail transit system in the Ethiopian capital will greatly improve local traffic capacity and bring convenience to local commuters.
Authorities also expect the project to help create an economic belt along the route, enhancing exchanges of people and goods along the line and having a positive influence on the county's economy.
Representatives from both Ethiopian and Chinese sides cut the red ribbon during the official commencement ceremony of the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Operation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 20, 2015. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km. [Photo: xinhua]
Chinese driver and monitor operate the train during a trial running of the light rail one day before its official commencement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 19, 2015. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km.[Photo: xinhua]
2015-09-22
Local residents walk on the platform of a light rail station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 20, 2015. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km. [Photo: xinhua]
Residents of Addis Ababa have expressed their joy over the commencement of operation of the Chinese-built light rail in the capital of the East African country.
The south-north line now opened to traffic is nearly 17 kilometers long and has 22 stops, covering most of the important places in Addis Ababa.
The ticket for the whole trip is two to six dollars for each person, much cheaper than the local bus service.
A staff member from one light rail station says she is fully prepared for the operation.
"I am very happy because we can officially start working. We have received full training in such subjects as how to sell tickets and how to reply to queries from passengers. We are ready."
During the construction period, the China Railway Group, which is responsible for the project, has employed about 20,000 local workers, and trained a large group of technical people in management and operation.
According to the Ethiopian government, the light rail service operates 16 hours a day, carrying an estimated 7,500 passengers.
Mohammed is an Ethiopian passenger. He says that the light rail will greatly ease the traffic congestions in the capital city.
"The operation of a light rail service is of great significance for our country, because traffic congestions are a headache for most of us. We used to spend a lot of time waiting for buses, now that the problem has been solved. A light rail service can carry many more passengers than buses. Our country is getting better."
Early on Sunday, Ethiopia has inaugurated a modern rail project which were funded and built mainly by Chinese companies.
The light rail system is the first of its kind that has ever been built in the region, south of Sahara in Africa.
Chinese foreign ministry has noted that the light rail transit system in the Ethiopian capital will greatly improve local traffic capacity and bring convenience to local commuters.
Authorities also expect the project to help create an economic belt along the route, enhancing exchanges of people and goods along the line and having a positive influence on the county's economy.
Representatives from both Ethiopian and Chinese sides cut the red ribbon during the official commencement ceremony of the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Operation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 20, 2015. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km. [Photo: xinhua]
Chinese driver and monitor operate the train during a trial running of the light rail one day before its official commencement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 19, 2015. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km.[Photo: xinhua]
