This thesis examines the performance and challenges of the zonal taxi transport system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It aims to measure the system's performance, examine accountability relationships and actor participation, identify challenges, and recommend improvements. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Key findings indicate the system has improved accessibility and quality through new routes and traffic safety measures. However, affordability remains a issue as taxi drivers can exploit passengers. Accountability and actor participation are also ineffective due to a lack of clear organizational structure. To enhance the system's effectiveness, the study recommends transforming taxi associations into public limited companies, establishing government-majority organizations, and installing computerized operations.

1. Addis Ababa University
School of Graduate Studies
College of Business and Economics
Department of Public Administration and Development Management
Performance and Challenges of Zonal Taxi Transport System in Addis
Ababa
A Thesis Submitted to Department of Public Administration and Development Management
of Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Masters of Art in Public Management and Policy.
By:
Wondem Mekuriaw
June 2012
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Abstract
In consideration of the importance of transportation for other sectors and the public, Addis
Ababa transport branch office has taken several measures to improve the transportation
situation of the city. One of the major measures taken by the city transport branch office is
zonal taxi transport system. However, anecdotal evidences indicate that problems are plenty
such as shortage of taxis, chopping of routes into several segments, charging passengers over
normal fares, taxis do not have or invisible root plates, passengers assaulted by taxi drivers
and conductors, lose control and coordination of actors, passive participation of actors,
vague accountable relationships of actors, poor in providing solution for grievances in time,
and others. In fact, whether the system has brought about the desired result is yet to be
assessed. Besides, accountability relationship and actors’ participation in the system is nor
clearly known. Thus, in line of above gaps, the objectives of the study were to: i) measure the
performance of zonal taxi transport system in the city, ii) examine the accountability
relationships and actors’ participation, and grievance handling mechanisms, iii) identify
challenges that hinder the system from being effective, and iv) suggest recommendation to
improve the services. Both qualitative and quantitative data have been utilized. The study
used both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through questionnaire,
unstructured interviews and personal observations. They were analysed through descriptive
and inferential statistics. Secondary data were also consulted from published and
unpublished documents and reports. The performance of zonal taxi transport system was
measured in terms of accessibility, affordability, quality, accountability relationship,
participation of actors and grievance handling. Findings of the study indicate that
accessibility and quality of zonal taxi transport system is relatively better because of the
opening up of new routes, fair distribution of taxis, protection of criminal activities, and
reduction of traffic accidents by giving break for drivers and others. But, it is difficult to say
that there is improvement on the affordability where the system helps taxi drivers to exploit
the poor. Besides, the system is ineffective in creation of organizational structure, which
hinders establishment of strong accountability relationship and active participation of actors.
Therefore, to make the system more effective, possible remedial actions should be taken, such
as promoting taxi associations to Plc. and contracting out zones to them, establishing
organizations with government holding of majority shares, and installation of computerized
working system.