A New Cable Car Transport System Is Introduced in Madagascar’s Capital

New cable cars in Antananarivo have been introduced to carry up to 75,000 passengers every day in an effort to reduce gridlock in the city.

Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, has opened a new public transit network. President Andriy Rajoelina, together with representatives from the city and the project contractors, boarded Antananarivo’s maiden cable car ride.

With a capacity to carry up to 75,000 passengers each day, these cable cars seek to reduce traffic in Antananarivo, a city that is currently home to over 3 million people.

“Remove 75,000 passengers every day, at bus level, remove 2,000 cars at Tana road level, it’s already a lot in terms of carbon savings and especially mobility,” stated Gérard Andriamanohisoa, the Secretary of State for New Towns and Housing at the Presidency.

Given that tickets are nearly one euro each, a lot of individuals in Madagascar believe they are beyond their means. In addition, this fare is six times more costly than a bus ticket.

Some residents of the capital are not happy, claiming that before installing cable cars, problems like electricity and water outages ought to have been resolved.m

“We have a lot of sensors in the stations and on the line, to detect any problems before they occur, so we can stop the lift and make sure there’s no risk to passengers,” said Guillaume Rannaz, a technical manager at Poma, the project contractors. In case of a power outage, we can still operate the train thanks to our generators.

Henry Razafimanantsoa, an Antananarivo resident, enquired, “Even if we continue to pay the bills, we don’t have electricity or water, and when we do, it’s just dirt gushing out of the tap! Why not start by resolving these social issues?

Although there have been claims that the project will increase Madagascar’s debt to the former colonial power, France, President Rajoelina has steadfastly backed the initiative.

“To change and advance our nation, we must have the guts. Those who condemn are invariably the ones who are powerless to stop them. I say that we should have completed this project. You know, the building of the Eiffel Tower was met with a great deal of criticism. However, what is it that draws travelers to France these days? “Is that not the Eiffel Tower?” inquired Rajoelina.

The administration had plans to provide retirees and students with subsidized tickets.

The public is expected to be able to utilize the cable cars in 2025.