Story perspectives

Antananarivo Cable Car Stalled Post-Coup, High Fares Deter Riders

8/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

$173 million Antananarivo cable car system has been idle after October 2025 coup damaged stations and government gave no recovery plan.
President Andry Rajoelina opened the line in 2024, promising 75,000 riders, with fares of 70-90 c—six to eight times a minibus ticket—that discouraged commuters.
A French-led consortium’s March 2026 inspection, cuts halting service and a coup burning stations, found fares push riders to traffic, leaving users like shop owner Erica worried about reliability.

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Story summary

$173 million Antananarivo cable car system has been idle after October 2025 coup damaged stations and government gave no recovery plan.
President Andry Rajoelina opened the line in 2024, promising 75,000 riders, with fares of 70-90 c—six to eight times a minibus ticket—that discouraged commuters.
A French-led consortium’s March 2026 inspection, cuts halting service and a coup burning stations, found fares push riders to traffic, leaving users like shop owner Erica worried about reliability.