Addis Ababa’s Traffic Woes to Ease as BRT Construction Begins

The Addis Ababa Transport Bureau has confirmed that construction of the city’s long-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will commence sooner this fiscal year, marking a major step forward in modernizing the capital’s public transportation network. Speaking to Ahadu Radio, Dagnachew Shiferaw, the bureau’s deputy head, revealed that 15 BRT corridors are planned for development in the coming years, with the first phase—a 19-kilometer route stretching from Jemo 3 to Piyasa Adwa—slated to begin construction this year. Funded with support from the French government, the project has already secured a contractor, ensuring that work will proceed as scheduled.  

Unlike conventional bus services, the BRT system will operate on dedicated lanes, significantly reducing delays caused by traffic congestion. Dagnachew emphasized that the current practice of buses waiting to fill up before departing—a fuel-saving measure that inconveniences passengers—will be eliminated once the express service is operational. Commuters will benefit from reliable, on-demand transportation without unnecessary waiting times. The BRT model, successfully implemented in cities worldwide, is expected to bring similar efficiency gains to Addis Ababa.  

Looking ahead, the city’s transport infrastructure will feature a dual-system approach: a mass transit train network alongside the BRT for high-capacity movement, while taxi services will cater to middle-income residents. As construction progresses on the initial line, additional BRT routes will be developed in parallel, signaling a broader shift toward a faster, more organized urban transit system. This initiative represents a critical milestone in addressing Addis Ababa’s growing mobility challenges and improving the daily commute for millions of residents.