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France provided the required funds for commissioning the project, which entailed a cost of 152 million euros as a loan. The state-of-the-art cable cars have a high degree of security arrangements and are fitted with sensors and power backups. However, many citizens feel that the price for the ride is beyond their reach since it is almost six times more than the bus ticket
Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo has introduced the first cable car. Capable of carrying up to 75,000 passengers a day, the cars are designed to reduce congestion. The city has a population of over 3 million. The cable car service can lead to cutting down carbon emissions since the cable car can replace an estimated 2000 cars.
France provided the required funds for commissioning the project, which entailed a cost of 152 million euros as a loan. The state-of-the- art cable cars have a high degree of security arrangements and are fitted with sensors and power backups. However, many citizens feel that the price for a ride is beyond their reach, almost six times more than the bus ticket.
At nearly one Euro a ticket, many Malagasy already feel priced out. The price is also six times the price of a bus ticket. Another set of residents feels that pressing into service cable cars should not have been the priority of the government since city dwellers are facing perennial power failure and water shortages. They feel these issues could have engaged the attention of the government.
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President Rajoelina has fiercely defended the project despite criticism that it increases the country’s indebtedness to France, Madagascar’s former colonial ruler. He defends the project by saying that its beneficial effect justifies the cost involved and reiterates how it can lead to the common good of the citizens. The government said a subsidized fare is planned for students and pensioners. The cars will be thrown open to the public only by 2025.
