Ethiopia is to charge Sudanese public passenger buses 15 dollars (305.25 Br) as a toll fee while crossing into Ethiopian soil as it travels in from Sudan; the aforementioned fee will also apply for Ethiopian buses crossing Sudanese boarder.
This came after an agreement between the two countries, which concluded that the operation of road passengers will commence within 45 days from the date of
the signing. The agreement between the two is the first of its kind for Ethiopia, connecting Ethiopia with a neighbor country after public transport service with Eretria discontinued after war broke out between the two.
The agreement was reached after a one-day discussion with the delegations of Sudan, was headed by Kassahun Hailemariam, Director General of Federal Transport Authority (FTA) and his counterpart Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed (Eng.), undersecretary of Ministry of Transport, Roads & Bridges of Sudan. It was held on February 25, 2015 and the agreement was signed on February 26, 2015.
During the discussion, delegates from private transport providers of both countries, namely Selam Bus S.C and Sky Bus S.C from Ethiopia and representatives of Bus Union Chamber and National Heavy Trucks Chamber of Sudan were in attendance. Both delegates discussed major issues Such as tariffs, routes, trip schedules and road users.
As far as routes are concerned, it has been announced that the route from Addis Abeba to Khartoum, which is 1,499 Km will cost 90 dollars per passenger just for a one-way trip. A bus originating from Addis Abeba will stop for lunch 300Km in at Deber Markos, and again at Gonder for rest. The next day, the trip will proceed and will reach Khartoum after one stopover at El Gedarif, 356 Km from Gonder.
El Gdarif is known for serving as a station of Sudan’s national railway network and center of agriculture production. It is also linked with the city, Port Sudan. There are also roads connecting Gedrafi with Gonder. In total, the trip from either origin point will take will take two days to reach other respective destination.
The rate per kilometer per passenger stands at 0.06 dollar. In accordance with this, one passenger can have baggage of up to 25 Kg free of charge. But if one needs to have extra luggage, then one can go up to an additional 40 Kg at a rate of 0.3 dollars per kilo gram.
This is to give an alternative transport service for the people of the two countries, said Abelneh Agidew, communications director at the FTA. Ethiopian airline has flights to Khartoum that cost a passenger about 7,431 Br for one way trip while one pays 8,709 Br for round trip.
“The chance to provide the service is left to private public transport associations and any one who provides us with the kind of vehicle the operation deserves,” stated Abelneh.
“For now, the services will be launched with buses collaborated from both Selam and Sky bus S.C,” said Kassahun. “There will be two trips per week from our side,” he added.
Both companies will have a stake in the two trips; one will take the first trip and the other will take the second, Wegayehu Aregaw, operations manger of Sky Bus told Fortune.
Sky, which is a company categorised under special type of public transport by the FTA, has 22 buses and domestically operates throughout 10 routes. Any passenger who wishes to begin their trip from Gonder have this option as far as the passenger provides all the visa documents. According to Sky buses’ tariff, one can travel from Addis to Gonder at a cost of 422 Br.
As far as transport association from Sudan is concerned, a meeting will be held with 10 transport associations on March 13 in Ethiopia and again on March 28, 2015 in Sudan to discuss on some technical issues such as having a single ticket office for both sides and maintenance of vehicles.
This agreement by the two will
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