This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar -- The idea was unique for sub-Saharan Africa: Use cable cars to lift thousands of commuters above the daily gridlock in one of Africa's fast-growing cities.But the system ran for only a few weeks, and now the car-less cables hang unused above Madagascar 's capital in what might be a $170 million mistake by one of the world's poorest countries.The cable car system in Antananarivo was promoted and inaugurated by former President Andry Rajoelina before he was deposed in a military coup late last year following youth-led protests alleging widespread government failures.He reasoned it was the best way to end the reliance on aging, overcrowded minibus taxis that create traffic jams stretching for hours, an annoyance for many in the island nation off east Africa. Light rail wouldn't work because of the area's marshlands, he said.“Antananarivo was built for 300,000 inhabitants. Now there are three million of us,” Rajoelina said when the cable cars were unveiled in 2024.Rajoelina called the system's opening last year a landmark moment, like France building the Eiffel Tower.Officials said the cable cars could carry up to 75,000 people a day, take 2,000 vehicles off ...