In the misty break of dawn, the usually scuttling Lamberet Bus Terminal in Addis Abeba stood comparatively quiet. This terminal serves as a primary gateway to the conflict-prone regions of Amhara and Tigray. Recent unrest and safety concerns have drastically altered the usual bus routes, leaving many stranded and frustrated. Travellers initially planning a bus journey resort to flying due to unpredictable bus schedules, driven by conflict-induced route changes. These route detours, sometimes adding an extra 180Km, do not just disrupt plans; they also increase costs for passengers and wear down vehicles, especially as they pass through the sweltering heat of the arid landscape in the Afar Regional State.
Long-serving bus drivers reflect on the profound shift in the dynamics of their work. The once straightforward job now bristles with tension and fear. Increased fare prices, meant to cover the added travel costs, hardly compensate for the heightened risks and the longer, more challenging routes. Data from the transport hubs in Addis Abeba show a worrying trend. There has been a drastic drop in passengers – nearly half a million fewer between July and September compared to the previous year. Young intermediaries, who earn commissions by linking passengers with bus services, face the brunt of this downturn.
The broader transportation sector feels the strain. Once-thriving public transport companies are on the brink, forcing many business owners to redirect to other industries. Some are forced to sell their businesses due to stranded vehicles and mounting debts. They blame not only the security situation but also the economic challenges like inflation and crushing loan repayments. The nexus between transport and security is undeniable. Experts, from academia to economics, concur that the state of transportation mirrors the country's security. While the government can stipulate routes, the onus of guaranteeing road safety falls squarely on its shoulders. In these turbulent times, as the confidence in ground transportation wanes, many seek solace in the skies, making flights not just a matter of speed but security.
You can read the full story here
PUBLISHED ON
Sep 23,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1221]
Viewpoints | Oct 05,2024
Fortune News | Dec 04,2022
Radar | Nov 12,2022
Editorial | May 08,2020
Commentaries | Aug 16,2020
Agenda | Oct 26,2019
Fortune News | Feb 25,2023
Fortune News | May 13,2023
Covid-19 | Apr 17,2020
Covid-19 | Apr 25,2020
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transportin...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
The cracks in Ethiopia's higher education system were laid bare during a synthesis re...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Construction authorities have unveiled a price adjustment implementation manual for s...
Nov 16 , 2024
In the realm of public finance, balance sheets speak louder than rhetoric. In such do...
Nov 9 , 2024
Ethiopia's foreign exchange debacle resembles a tangled web of contradictions and con...
Nov 2 , 2024
Addis Abeba, fondly dubbed a 'New Flower,' is wilting under the weight of unchecked u...
Oct 26 , 2024
When flames devoured parts of Mercato, residents watched helplessly as decades of toi...
Loading your updates...