Madagascar to launch first urban train on August 15

Madagascar’s Ministry of Transport and Metrology will launch on August 15 in capital Antananarivo the country’s first urban train to be powered by electricity, local media Madagascar Tribune reports.
The train will connect Soarano and Amaronakona stations, a distance of 12 km.
The new train will help commute within the capital. 2 million people commute everyday between the city’s center and the outskirts, and 4.5 million in Antananarivo itself.
Majority of people use taxis. About 2.700 taxis operate in the capital and authorities expect the various figures to triple in the near future given the growth of the city.
The train is planned to run on electricity but due to the power crisis that has hit the African country, for a medium term until the crisis weathered, diesel will be used. Authorities expect the train to run on power from next year and there are plans to electrify eight stations on the Soarano and Amaronakona route.
The locomotive and the wagons were commissioned at Toamasina port at the end of May 2023.