Written by Mina Yirga - Horizon Ethiopia Staff Writer
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
A fashionable mobile home Ethiopian style? The gigantic road kings visible everywhere in Addis - Anbessa City Buses - are getting a facelift to become arguably the most creative entry into the crowded ranks of real estate offerings. Workhorses of public transportation and amongst the most utilized and recognized with only 50-cent fares, the aging red and yellow fleet is best known for passengers loaded to the brink in its quest to make travel affordable to the masses. But now the buses may be the foundation for artistic creations.
That’s right, the interior of older buses can be refurbished and modernized to incorporate remarkable design features for accommodation purposes. The innovation is the product of Elias Asefa, owner of Jupiter International Hotel on Bole Road, and Ezana Feseha. Both new to the present look of Addis, they were driving up and down the city until they came across the ‘city bus graveyard’ for over 30 years around Kera.
“The sorry sight struck us as an opportunity,” says Elias who is one of many returnees finding concepts from abroad helpful in finding niche markets in Addis. “While adding more modern technologies to cars is popular worldwide, we wanted to take it a step further to make comfortable mobile homes.”
Their initial idea was to revamp around 100 buses for hotel accommodation purposes. After taking time to digest the business side, they shot their first request letter out to Anbessa Buses. Though they did not succeed with their first encounter with the Authority, it gave them time to rethink their project. “At the height of the Ethiopian Millennium fever TV programs continuously bemoaned the housing shortage in the capital,” recalls Elias. “As good citizens we wanted to chip in by building awareness about recycling out of used materials.”
The two budding entrepreneurs approached the Anbessa Buses for a second time with the added idea to donate some homes or offer discounts and incentive plans. Fascinated with the project idea, Sisay Yimer, General Manager of Waleya City Bus, agreed to provide them with a test bus for a sample.
With 24sqm to work a crew of 30 gathered to transform the depleted features of a tired Anbessa Bus within 21 days. Gypsum boards were chosen to partition the bus into a four-room home and solar panels gave it an environmental tinge. A removable septic tank took the place of the engine and used toilet seats from Aroge Tera were even incorporated into the prototype.
“We wanted to make two models, one mobile and the other use the bus frame but grounded on concrete,” Elias told ACX. Room for a full-sized bed, usage of the original ventilation systems, stylish incorporation of entertainment equipment and even a complete kitchen demonstrate the junction of practicality with style.
For a group of men, finding the perfect curtain, bed sheet and carpet to match took more time than the stripping, sheathing and structure,” jokes Elias who says 15 days was enough to finish off a new home. Though the concept looks appealing, Elias has yet to get his second bus to perform a similar miracle with. “Though our sample still stands in the garage, the satisfaction of originality feels good.” He looks forward to the day when they will have more buses to convert and the buyers who will be able to call them home.
converting old anbessa buses into something useful should be seen as a bright idea worth encouraging. why are the authorities so behind times in their thinking and prefer these old buses be left at the mercy of the elements?? please open your eyes and do away with procrastination.
why are the authorities so behind times in their thinking and prefer these old buses be left at the mercy of the elements??
please open your eyes and do away with procrastination.