Opened in 2015, the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit is the first urban light rail system in sub-Saharan Africa — a distinction the city takes some pride in. Two lines cross the city: the east-west line runs from Ayat to Torhayloch, and the north-south line connects Menelik Square to Kaliti. The two lines intersect at the city centre.
For visitors, the light rail is primarily useful for getting between the Piazza area and Bole without sitting in traffic. The fare is very low by any standard. The trains run frequently during peak hours and the carriages, while often crowded, are air-conditioned. Riding the light rail is also simply a good way to move through the city and watch daily life from an elevated vantage point.