Company selects electric bus routes

By Andualem Sisay - Capital

12 November, 2007

Rus-Afro Trolley Bus plc, an Ethio-Russia electric bus manufacturing company registered in Ethiopia with 160 mln USD capital, has chosen the first two lines that will be used by its electric buses in Addis Ababa.

According to Getachew Eshetu, 50 per cent share holder, the company has chosen two lines from the three it was offered by transport authorities.

The first line chosen by the company starts from Mexico square and goes through Torhayloch and ends at Ayertena, while the second will begin from Ayertena through the ring road to the General Wingate area.

The company’s officials will meet tomorrow, November 12, 2007, with Mayor Birhane Deressa of Addis Ababa to sign a concluding agreement. It is also planning to start training drivers for the trolley bus in collaboration with the Ethiopian Transport Authority.

Getachew said: “As the inhabitants of Addis Ababa are now facing huge transportation problem, we are planning to start the service as quickly as possible.”

“In order to start the service within a short span, we are planning to change the old Anbessa bus carriages which are no more in service into trolleys after negotiating with the concerned authorities” he said.

Appreciating the support that the company is getting from the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and transport authorities, Getachew in an exclusive interview with Capital, urged all concerned offices to support the realization of this new technology in Ethiopia that will save the environment from pollution and solve the transportation problems of the country.

After introducing the technology in Addis Ababa, the company is also planning to reach other cities of the country and neighboring countries. The company is currently undertaking construction of a trolley bus factory in Debremarkos, Amhara Region.