Addis Ababa Light Rail Sees Passenger Surge to 75,000 as Fuel Shortage Bites

Mintesinot Niggusie

Daily ridership on Addis Ababa Light Rail has climbed to about 75,000 passengers as a fuel shortage in the capital drives commuters away from road transport, according to the city’s rail operator.

The increase represents a rise of around 30,000 passengers from the previous daily average of 45,000, reflecting a sharp shift in travel patterns following disruptions in fuel supply.

The surge is unfolding against limited operating capacity. Out of a total fleet of 41 trains, only 17 are currently in service, with about 20 trains out of operation due to maintenance challenges linked to budget constraints and shortages of spare parts.

Chief executive Birhan Abebaw (PhD) said efforts are underway to expand capacity, including plans to return at least two additional trains to service within the next month.

To manage peak-hour demand, the operator has introduced measures such as coupling two trains together during morning and evening commutes. Trains with minor technical faults are also being used alongside operational units to increase service availability.

The agency said restoring more trains to operation could significantly ease congestion across the network, particularly as reliance on the system grows during the fuel shortage.

Service reliability has also been affected by power interruptions. The operator is working with Ethiopian Electric Utility through a joint technical team to enable faster response to outages affecting the rail network.

The increase comes amid a wider transport strain in Ethiopia, where limited fuel supply has reduced the number of vehicles on the road, lengthened waiting times, and disrupted urban mobility. Public transport operators have been among the most affected, with some services scaled back as access to fuel tightens.