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

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong 1 of 5 | cable cars cut across the skyline during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 2 of 5 | cable cars at a station during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 3 of 5 | A cable car operates during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 4 of 5 | Wires for cable cars cut across the skyline of Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 5 of 5 | cable cars operate during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 1 of 5 | cable cars cut across the skyline during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 1 of 5 cable cars cut across the skyline during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 5 | cable cars at a station during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 2 of 5 cable cars at a station during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 5 | A cable car operates during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 3 of 5 A cable car operates during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 5 | Wires for cable cars cut across the skyline of Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 4 of 5 Wires for cable cars cut across the skyline of Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 5 | cable cars operate during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) 5 of 5 cable cars operate during testing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Antananarivo, Madagascar (AP) — 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. Residents ask why cable cars and not running waterOfficials said the cable cars could carry up to 75,000 people a day, take 2,000 vehicles off the roads and cut commutes from up to three hours to about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the route.At the unveiling, Rajoelina and his prime minister rode above Antananarivo’s steep hills and tightly packed neighborhoods. But few ordinary Madagascans followed.