29 Mar 2016

Batswana have never stopped calling for return of the passenger train since it was stopped some years ago.

With its memorable return recently, Batswana were ecstatic that one of the people’s most treasured public transport systems was back on the rails.

For about 18 years since 1991 when the blue train - as it was popularly known - started operating, Batswana had grown fond of it and were so connected to it that when the service was stopped in 2009, people were upset.

The train service was halted due to the fact that the coaches were in an unacceptable state, thereby posing some risks to passengers and the government, according to the authorities.

For a long time, people waited in anticipation for the return of the ‘blue train’ until one day, to their relief, it was announced that before April 1, 2016, Batswana would have their first taste of the passenger train in years.

Finally, on March 22, the passenger train arrived and the mood was so high that everyone was talking of a ride on it.

Scores of people thronged its launch in Lobatse and this time around, there was a new name; BR Express. 

President Lt Gen Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who launched the train, announced that the name BR Express denoted the elegant service that Botswana Railways aspired to provide, which was the most comfortable, convenient and a safe service to its customers as its competitive edge.

The train also carries the BOT50 logo which is the national symbol that is being used to signal the celebrations of the country’s 50th anniversary as an Independent nation.

So, BR Express couldn’t have come at the right time when the celebration mood is high and its arrival blended into the euphoria that had already engraved the people of Botswana.

From Lobatse near Ramatlabama border, to Francistown near Ramokgwebana border, two women of note were at each end to speak about BR Express.  

Lobatse mayor, Ms Malebogo Kruger, said in an interview after taking a trip to Gaborone on the train that the train was indeed a relief for the people not only of Lobatse and Batswana at large who would use its services for convenience.

Ms Kruger said she saw it as an opportunity for the people of Lobatse to benefit from and to better their lives. She said she was delighted more especially about the improvements that she saw, especially the sitting arrangement and the increase in class coaches including sleeper coaches.

Francistown mayor, Ms Grace Muzila, received and welcomed BR Express with warm hands to the country’s second city. 

 Ms Muzila said the stoppage of the passenger train had left a huge gap in the country’s transport system, adding that its re-introduction was a huge relief.

She was also appreciative of the refurbishment of the train stations that to match the train service.

BR Express came as a package of 37 coaches that would operate between Lobatse and Francistown.  

The package composed of standard, business class, sleeper or first class coaches, buffet car, the generator van as well as the luggage van. 

The train also has roof mounted air conditioners, Wi-fi designs and entertainment systems.

The train will stop at six strategic stations being; Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Serule and Francistown. 

It would operate as night trains on a daily basis; however day trains would be operated during public holidays in addition to the night services to cater for demand. Ends