Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA (EI): A newly launched cross-border public bus transport service, connecting the capitals of Ethiopia and Kenya, aims to enhance regional integration and fostering people-to-people ties between the two nations, according to the company operating the service.
The service, operated by a private transport company Abyssinia Luxury Coach, links the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa with Kenya’s Nairobi, with a recent successful inaugural inland transport trip, the company’s director, Michael James Macchio, confirmed in an interview with Ethiopia Informer (EI) recently.
Macchio noted that the ever-expanding relations between Ethiopia and Kenya inspired the company to introduce the new land transport service, which aims to further strengthen the closer people-to-people ties between the two countries.
“We want to integrate the two cities as they are the hubs for African diplomatic centers. So far, we have received overwhelming responses from the public, mainly due to our seamless service as well as the affordable price as compared to the other alternative of air transportation,” he said.
According to Macchio, following its inaugural trip on August 3 from Nairobi to the border town of Moyale, the company is currently providing daily transport services connecting capitals of the two countries, via a stopover at the border town of Moyale.
As the company awaits to finalize legal registrations from Ethiopian authorities, Macchio said “operations are currently running smoothly by exchanging passengers in an agreement with a local bus transport company, as we wait to have formal direct lines soon.”
It currently operates bus transport services from Nairobi to the border town of Moyale. Commuters then embark to Addis Ababa through Abyssinia Luxury Coach’s partner company.
Highlighting possible security challenges along the route, Macchio stressed that the company applies precautionary measures, mainly by avoiding night transportation in less-secured areas.
He said the company operates “a fleet of modern and comfortable buses,” taking approximately 9 to 10 hours to travel from Nairobi to Addis Ababa, including the time required for immigration procedures.
The company, which currently operates with 8 buses that will soon double to 16, said commuters with valid passport and necessary medical paperwork, such as the Yellow Fever card, are eligible to its services.
As a cross-border public transport service provider, Macchio said the company also assists travelers by facilitating necessary immigration and legal processes as they cross the borders between the two countries.
