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Chinese-built rail project operating smoothly in Ethiopia's capital

Xinhua, October 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) project is operating smoothly providing transportation services to tens of thousands of metropolitans per day in Ethiopia's capital, said officials from the system operation.

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.

Of the two rail lines, the east-west corridor extends 17.35 km, stretching from Ayat Village to Tor Hailoch, and passes through Megenagna, Legehar and Mexico Square; and the north-south line is 16.9 km in length, passing through Menelik II Square, Merkato, Lideta, Legehar, Meskel Square, Gotera and Kality.

Built by China Railway Group (CREC) and being operated now by Shenzhen Metro Group, the AA-LRT officially launched services on its South-North corridor, which runs from Kality area to Menelik II Square on Sept. 20.

Gao Shuang, General Manger of AA-LRT, told Xinhua that the light rail has been operating smoothly since its commencement ten days back.

"Everything is going on smoothly as we expected, we pay high attention to safety and security. Because light rail is new to Addis Ababa people, they like it and are quite operative, now the daily passenger number is up to 60,000, and as time goes on, we are expecting more and more,"he said.

Henok Bogale, General Manger from the Ethiopian Railway Corporation, said the operation is smooth with Shenzhen Metro's careful activities with priority to safety.

"So far, the operation is so smooth. Even if it is new for us; even if it is new trend for Addis residents, new situation, but everything is going on now very smoothly because the operator, they are operating carefully, they give priority on safety and security issue. So, everything is carefully followed because of that it is very smooth and very good," said Henok.

In addition to its operation management of the A-LRT, Shenzhen Metro trains local managerial and technical employees.

Regarding the working relation between the Chinese and local staff on the operation of the AA-LRT, Henok said that they are working in a team and good spirit, whereby the technology transfer and capacity building are going on.

Tewodros Legesse is a trainmaster of the AA-LRT, and he is among the first batch trained in China.

Tewodros told Xinhua that he is very happy about being among the first trainmasters group to serve his people with the modern technology.

Sisaynesh Derbew, a train hostess, told Xinhua that she is happy about the job and serving the passengers with dedication.

Some of the passengers, whom Xinhua approached while they were travelling by the rails, expressed their happiness to use the modern technology transportation here in Addis Ababa.

Melaku, who lives around Kotebe area said, "I have used it for three-four times; and it is really good and I am very happy about this."

"I think, it is solving the transportation problem and the public is being benefited from it. It is very good for low-income people in price-wise and saving time, being at office within a short period of time is good," he added. Enditem