Commuters and workers in Ethiopia have hailed the transportation transformation brought by the Chinese-built Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit, which has delivered travel convenience and helped to advance the modernization of the Ethiopian capital.
As a landmark infrastructure project within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the light railway became the first modern urban light rail system in East Africa when it went into operation back in 2015.
Stretching more than 30 kilometers across Addis Ababa, a bustling city of more than 5 million people, the railway has reduced the commuting time to no more than an hour across the city, where lengthy traffic jams can be common.
Residents say the railway has offered a valuable and affordable travel option to beat the daily rush hour. "I used to take taxi before, but it is very much costly to [do] too often, it is very much costly. But this railway we are using with the minimum [fare], less price. And how I wish that the Chinese peoples can jointly work and empower our youth to transfer technology and advance the technology to Ethiopia's youngsters," said a passenger.
With trains and signaling systems from China, the advanced, fully-fledged Chinese equipment and technologies are ensuring the stable operation of the railway.
In the cabin, the train drivers are also grateful for the efficiency of the advanced Chinese tech and for the training opportunities they have received, with a number of learner drivers traveling to Changsha City in central China's Hunan Province to undergo comprehensive courses.
The railway transports around 60,000 people daily, while the Ethiopian government said the project had created 13,000 jobs.
Chinese-built light rail delivers transport transformation in Ethiopian capital
