The blue donkey buses of Addis Ababa are under threat from a new rail network

Описание: (9 Jan 2015) LEADIN:
The blue donkeys are the unsung heroes of Addis Ababa - keeping the city moving. These trusty old blue Toyota mini-busses might not be glamorous but they're cheap and plentiful... But now there's a new player in town.
The impending opening of a light railway in the Ethiopian capital is causing the donkey drivers concern - but whether the project will be completed by its 2015 deadline remains to be seen.
STORYLINE
It's donkey work during the morning rush hour in Addis Ababa... But these donkeys are just enjoying the view.
These mini-buses are Ethiopia's blue donkeys - they keep people moving in the busy capital.
They are crowded and cheap - just don't always expect to get to work on time.
This woman tries and fails to board her bus. She's not too bothered - there'll be another blue donkey in a minute.
The informal network of Toyota HiAce minivans is the most popular mode of transport in the city and are responsible for carrying around 60 per cent of all passengers.
Because of their colour they're affectionately known as 'blue donkeys' to some - and 'blue devils' to others.
But the Ethiopian capital is modernising and the donkeys will soon have some competition kicking at their heels.
The Chinese built Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit system is carving a path across the city.
The first of its kind in Sub-Sahara Africa, its promoters say it will deliver fast, clean and congestion-free travel.
"The light rail carries 286 persons standing as well as sitting. And the system, the system in the peak hour in the future is estimated to move 15,000 persons in one hour in one direction," says Behailu.
So what do the donkey drivers make of their competition?
"The more our the country grows, the more jobs and the more opportunities there will be for us, that's what I think in my opinion," says one driver.
However, his forward-looking opinion isn't shared by his fellow-drivers who are suspicious of the rail system and fear they will loose their livelihood.
The construction has affected the city's traffic links over the past few years as the roads have been dug up, and the tracks laid.
The city's already chaotic roads were further clogged, and the blue donkey drivers have been hard hit.
"The roads are blocked so I've only been on one trip today. After this I might do two more trips at most," says one frustrated driver.
Danail Teklu, another donkey driver adds: "They have a low opinion of us. They don't like the look of us. I'm sure they're trying to kill our taxi business and get rid of us."
The Ethiopian Railways Corporation says construction will be completed in January 2015 yet the entire light rail network appears far from finished.
With scarcely a month to go, tracks are still being laid. Addis Ababa's growing pains look set to be prolonged.
Even when it's finished, will there be room left on the streets for the blue donkeys? Will they be able to compete?
The authorities certainly think so: "I don't think that will be an issue because this light rail will only take the passengers along the current corridor being under construction," says Mr Behailu.
The blue donkeys are privately run but their operational zones are government regulated.
Sisay Zenebe, a lecturer at the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and Urban Design, monitors their movements closely and believes the two can get along.
Looking at his transport map he says: "The minibuses serve all the other parts of the city so it will compliment the LRT system."
And that adaptability may come in handy when the light rail starts rolling.

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