Traveling from Amoronakona now offers passengers a completely different experience from the old Fasan'ny Karàna parking lot. Beyond the modern infrastructure, transport organization has also been modernized. Foton buses serve as shuttles for passengers from Amoronakona bus station.
Passengers arrived at Amoronakona bus station by shuttle yesterday. "While shopping at Behoririka this morning, I was told about a vehicle going directly from Analakely to Amoronakona. The vehicle was easy to spot with the sign on the windshield. I got on and here I am, without paying for a taxi. I just paid 2,000 ariary for this trip," says Marianne, a merchant in Fianarantsoa.
Many still don't know about these shuttles. Each vehicle, departing after an hour's wait, carried only two to four passengers. "We took three buses from Andranomena to get here because we didn't see these shuttles," testifies Léon, a passenger heading to Manakara.
The Ministry of Transport and Meteorology has deployed new transport means to facilitate passenger flow from downtown and suburbs to the new station. Travelers can choose between shuttles, Foton buses, or the urban train to reach Amoronakona station, in addition to usual transport options. "This train is convenient because we often bring packages to the station, and there are no traffic jams. But the number of trips should be increased," suggests Iloaina, a Behoririka merchant who reached Amoronakona by train.
Standardization
At the ticket window, each passenger must provide complete identification: name, first names, national ID number, address, phone number, and an emergency contact. This information is recorded on an interconnected tablet. "We comply with the specifications," explains Andry Michel Razafindraibe, board member of G-2TP, manager of Amoronakona bus station.
This measure isn't entirely new for transporters. "The difference is that they were written in a notebook at Fasan'ny Karàna parking. But with general laxity, some drivers didn't fill in passenger information," reports Jean Ferdinand Rakotondramanana, fleet manager. This data is essential for passenger traceability and assistance in case of accident.
After registration, passengers pay transport fees directly at the station cashier, not to the cooperative. This standardizes fares for each destination. Once completed and the vehicle is full, the manifest is issued and the vehicle can depart. This new system isn't fully operational yet: some ticket clerks don't master tablet use and struggle with procedures. This caused delays yesterday. Vehicles already full at 6 a.m. couldn't leave until 9:30 a.m. Passengers complained. The situation improved in the afternoon. Management assures these disruptions will be completely resolved within ten days maximum.